Normal imaging findings after aortic valve implantation on F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography

Background To determine the normal perivalvular F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT) within one year after aortic prosthetic heart valve (PHV) implantation. Methods Patients with uncomplicated aortic PHV implantation were prospectively included and underwent F-18-FDG PET/CT at either 5 (+/- 1) weeks (group 1), 12 (+/- 2) weeks (group 2) or 52 (+/- 8) weeks (group 3) after implantation. F-18-FDG uptake around the PHV was scored qualitatively (none/low/intermediate/high) and quantitatively by measuring the maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) and target to background ratio (SUVratio). Results In total, 37 patients (group 1: n = 12, group 2: n = 12, group 3: n = 13) (mean age 66 +/- 8 years) were prospectively included. Perivalvular F-18-FDG uptake was low (8/12 (67%)) and intermediate (4/12 (33%)) in group 1, low (7/12 (58%)) and intermediate (5/12 (42%)) in group 2, and low (8/13 (62%)) and intermediate (5/13 (38%)) in group 3 (P = 0.91). SUVmax was 4.1 +/- 0.7, 4.6 +/- 0.9 and 3.8 +/- 0.7 (mean +/- SD, P = 0.08), and SUVratio was 2.0 [1.9 to 2.2], 2.0 [1.8 to 2.6], and 1.9 [1.7 to 2.0] (median [IQR], P = 0.81) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusion Non-infected aortic PHV have similar low to intermediate perivalvular F-18-FDG uptake with similar SUVmax and SUVratio at 5, 12, and 52 weeks after implantation.