In the context of atherosclerotic lesions, what does the amount of FDG uptake correlate with?

In the context of atherosclerotic lesions, the uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is primarily associated with the density of macrophages present within the lesion. Macrophages play a significant role in the inflammatory processes associated with atherosclerosis, often contributing to plaque instability and progression. Increased FDG uptake indicates heightened metabolic activity in these macrophages, signifying areas of active inflammation within the atherosclerotic plaque.

FDG is a glucose analog that is taken up by cells actively engaged in glycolysis, which is characteristic of cells that are metabolically active, such as macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. When these lesions are examined through positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, higher levels of FDG uptake correlate strongly with increased levels of macrophage infiltration, making this the correct answer regarding what FDG uptake measures in the context of atherosclerosis.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in the assessment of cardiovascular risk and the monitoring of atherosclerotic disease progression, as it directly ties the metabolic activity seen in PET imaging with the underlying pathophysiological processes in the tissues.