Integrated Informatics-imaging Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease.

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) is a common disorder that causes heart attacks. In the United Kingdom heart attacks are the commonest cause of death. Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computer tomography (CT) scans are a new way of assessing atherosclerosis. Using the radiotracer 18F-Fluoride, this study proposes to perform combined PET CT scans on post-mortem hearts from participants with or without a history of heart disease. It will then be able to compare the hot spots found on these scans with what investigators can see under the microscope when looking at heart artery specimens, assess which genes are switched on and proteins present in the hot spots. This will give us an insight into what hot spots on PET CT scans are identifying in areas of atherosclerosis. It will also provide new information relating to the underlying processes that give rise to atherosclerosis and the development of heart attacks. This will pave the way for the future development of new treatments.