Investigating the Role of Active Versus Chronic Coronary Artery Calcification on Acute Myocardial Infarct

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigator aims to determine the feasibility of understanding the process of active versus chronic calcification using Na-F PET scan and contrast CT scan of the heart. The patient cohort will consist of patients diagnosed to have either acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (comprising of either unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction) or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The PET images will be compared to images obtained from standard contrast CT of the coronaries. This study will provide additional insights about active versus non-active calcification amongst patients with ACS or suspected CAD.

Detailed Description
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Contemporary techniques used to visualize coronary artery calcification include standard non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the coronaries measuring amount of calcium deposition in the coronaries, contrast CT and more recently, using sodium-fluoride (Na-F) positron emission tomography (PET) to image coronary and valvular calcification. Na-F has been shown to accumulate in areas of active calcification where contrast CT of the heart has been shown to accumulate in areas of chronic calcification. The investigator aims to determine the feasibility of understanding the process of active versus chronic calcification using Na-F PET scan and contrast CT scan of the heart. The patient cohort will consist of patients diagnosed to have either acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (comprising of either unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction) or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). The PET images will be compared to images obtained from standard contrast CT of the coronaries. This study will provide additional insights about active versus non-active calcification amongst patients with ACS or suspected CAD.

Official Title
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Investigating the Role of Active Versus Chronic Coronary Artery Calcification on Acute Myocardial Infarct: A Novel Pilot Study Using Sodium-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) Techniques

Conditions
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Chest Pain

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome Patients referred for workup of suspected coronary syndrome Able to provide written, informed consent. Age between (including) 50 years to 89 years old. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant & Lactating women weight <=180kg

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years
Maximum Age: 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coronary artery calcification will be determined by Tc-99m MDP SPECT-CT and Na-F PET-CT | Na-F has been shown to accumulate in areas of active calcification where contrast CT of the heart has been shown to accumulate in areas of chronic calcification. We aim to determine the feasibility of understanding the process of active versus chronic calcification using Na-F PET scan and contrast CT scan of the heart. | 12 months |