In-vivo Thrombus Imaging With 18F-GP1, a Novel Platelet PET Radiotracer

To date, the investigators have successfully employed a radiotracer (18F-sodium fluoride) as a marker of necrotic inflammation in human atherosclerosis. The investigators aim to further the mechanistic understanding of atherothrombosis by studying the activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors in cardiovascular thrombus using the novel platelet radiotracer (18F-GP1). Binding of 18F-GP1 to activated platelets in venous and arterial thrombi has already been demonstrated in pre-clinical studies and a phase 1 trial in man. If successful, this study would define the role of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor within in vivo thrombosis across a range of cardiovascular diseases.