NMTCB Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Practice Exam

The preferred PET tracer for measuring myocardial oxygen consumption is 11C-Acetate. This tracer is specifically designed to assess myocardial metabolism. 11C-Acetate is taken up by cardiac myocytes and is utilized in the fatty acid synthesis pathway, providing a direct measurement of myocardial oxygen consumption as the heart uses acetate in aerobic metabolism.

Using 11C-Acetate allows for the evaluation of regional myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption, making it a suitable choice for studies focused on cardiac function. In contrast, 18F-FDG is more commonly used for assessing glucose metabolism rather than oxygen consumption, while 11C-Palmitate, although related to fatty acid metabolism, is not as extensively validated for direct measurements of oxygen consumption in myocardium. 18F-NaF primarily serves as a bone imaging agent and is not used for assessing myocardial metabolism.

This clarity around 11C-Acetate's unique properties and its role in metabolic pathways underscores its preference for studying myocardial oxygen consumption in clinical settings.