PET Scan in Patients With Neurocardiologic Disorders

This project applies positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning after administration of 6-\[18F\]fluorodopamine (\[18F\]-6F-DA) to visualize sympathetic innervation and function in patients with neurocardiologic disorders. Patients undergo infusion of \[18F\]-6F-DA, followed by PET scanning of one or more body regions. Patients may also undergo PET scanning after administration of \[13N\]-ammonia, to assess regional perfusion; regional blood sampling (including sampling from the coronary sinus or great cardiac vein) during infusion of \[3H\]-l-norepinephrine (\[3H\]-NE), to assess the kinetics and metabolism of NE; or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to delineate the ventricular myocardium. PET scanning after \[18F\]-6F-DA administration, in conjunction with other clinical assessment tools, should provide comprehensive information about regional sympathoneural innervation and function in neurocardiologic disorders.