NEW ORLEANS (June 22, 2025)— A novel integrated molecular imaging approach enables precise localization and quantification of heart damage, as well as accurate identification of disease subtypes. The dual PET/MR and PET/CMR technique also provides direct evidence supporting surgery as a cardio-protective intervention in these patients, offering a comprehensive strategy for managing primary aldosteronism. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting.
Primary aldosteronism is a high-risk but treatable form of hypertension that can result in serious cardiac events. Consequently, patients with this condition require regular monitoring to evaluate heart health.
" Precise diagnosis and assessment of cardiac issues is critical for patients with primary aldosteronism," said Jie Ding, MD, doctor and researcher in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China. "Our study evaluated the effectiveness of this dual-modality approach integrating adrenal and cardiac imaging in disease management."
The prospective study included 30 patients with primary aldosteronism patients and 15 patients with primary hypertension. All participants underwent 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/MR for adrenal imaging and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CMR for myocardial imaging. Standardized uptake values of the adrenal glands and myocardium were quantified and compared between groups. A subset of patients underwent follow-up 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CMR imaging after adrenalectomy (removal of the adrenal glands).
The dual-modality imaging successfully identified aldosterone-producing adenoma from idiopathic hyperaldosteronism and was able to quantity myocardial fibrosis burden. Post-adrenalectomy 68Ga-FAPI-04 imaging documented fibrosis regression, providing direct evidence for early intervention reversing target organ damage.
“This work revolutionizes the management of primary aldosteronism by enabling precise diagnosis and subtype classification, evaluating cardiovascular complications, and tracking treatment responses,” said Ding. “Altogether, it offers essential insights for guiding personalized therapy.”
Both ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor and ⁶⁸Ga-FAPI-04 represent established yet emerging PET tracers that have achieved significant clinical adoption. As such, Ding anticipates rapid translation of this dual-imaging method into routine practice.