Non-invasive coronary thrombus imaging to define the cause of acute myocardial infarction

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We now have very sensitive blood tests that can pick up damage to the heart and find patients who have had a heart attack. However, whilst this is welcome, it does not identify what causes the heart attack and can sometimes pick up other conditions that cause a strain on the heart. The classic cause of a heart attack is when a blood clot forms on fatty deposits within the heart arteries. This leads to treating patients with blood thinning medication, and this is very effective and saves lives. However, many apparent heart attacks are not caused by blood clots and some may be caused by bloods but pass unrecognised. In this proposal, we will test an exciting new imaging test that can 'see' from outside the body whether there is a blood clot in the heart arteries. We have developed a new technique using a sophisticated scanning technique called positron emission tomography. This uses trace amounts of radiation that is incorporated into a smart probe that only sticks to blood clots. For the first time, we will be able to see which types of heart attacks are caused by blood clots and where these clots have originated from. This could provide a major new way of assessing patients to ensure they get the right diagnosis and the right treatment. This could ultimately improve the outcomes of or patients with heart attacks.