PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL 1 pm, JUNE 21, 2004
Contact: Darren DiPatri
ddipatri@kamber.com
Office: 202-955-1242
Cell: 917-566-8873
Detecting Infection: Scientists in Japan Find PET Assesses
Infection in Vascular Graft
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 21, 2004 – Differentiating between infection and inflammation is critical
when problems arise following a surgical implantation of a biomedical device. From outside, the
symptoms are similar, but infection in the area of the implant may indicate the beginnings of a lifethreatening rejection process, while inflammation may simply be the result of tissue disturbance during
surgery.
With this in mind, researchers from the Department of Radiology, National Cardiovascular Center in
Suita, Osaka, Japan, assessed the ability of positron emission tomography (PET) to differentiate between
an infected and non-infected vascular graft. The ability to differentiate between the two is critical to
making the right choice for treatment.
The study imaged 15 patients, some with suspected infected grafts and others with stable, non-infected
grafts. The diagnoses based on PET and the final diagnoses based on surgical or clinical examinations
were compared. The results confirmed that PET could accurately identify patients who needed treatment
for graft infection.
According to Kazuki Fukuchi, MD, of Osaka, Japan, “Infection of vascular prosthetic grafts remains a
major surgical challenge since it can be reduced, but not eradicated, by avoiding risk factors and by
applying antibiotic therapy.” PET studies appear to accurately, safely, and specifically diagnose graft
infection. The team presented the results of their study at the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s 51st Annual
Conference.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine is holding its 51st Annual Meeting June 19–23, 2004, at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. Hot topics for the 2004 meeting include
techniques for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease; advanced imaging for the diagnosis, staging,
and treatment of cancer; nuclear cardiology; and the collaboration between nuclear medicine and
bioengineering in the fight against cancer.
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