Morpho-metabolic post-surgical patterns of non-infected prosthetic heart valves by [18F]FDG PET/CTA: “normality” is a possible diagnosis

Abstract

FDG uptake, often seen in recently implanted PVs, shows a characteristic pattern of post-operative inflammation and, in the absence of associated anatomic lesions, could be considered a normal finding. These features remain stable for at least 1 year after surgery, so questioning the recommended 3-month safety period. A new measure, the VUI, can be useful for evaluating the FDG distribution pattern.