The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Fluorine-18 (18F) flurpiridaz as a new radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). This tracer has several benefits, including a long half-life that facilitates centralized production and eliminates the need for on-site cyclotrons, which could enhance the adoption of PET MPI in various medical centers. Clinical trials have demonstrated that 18F flurpiridaz has superior diagnostic performance compared to technetium-99m (Tc-99m) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), particularly in terms of sensitivity and image quality. The initial phase 1 studies indicated its safety, while phase 2 and phase 3 trials showed flurpiridaz PET to be more effective in diagnosing significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite its advantages, challenges such as higher costs, limited availability, and ongoing training for healthcare professionals remain barriers to its widespread adoption. However, efforts to address these issues are underway, and future trials aim to compare the diagnostic performance of flurpiridaz with existing PET radiotracers.
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:27:26 GMT | American College of Cardiology