Non-18F-FDG/18F-NaF Radiotracers Proposed for the Diagnosis and Management of Diseases of the Heart and Vasculature

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) are front-runners in PET. However, these tracers have limitations in the imaging of diseases in the heart. A multitude of other radiotracers have been identified as potentially useful PET agents in the identification of cardiovascular disease. This critical review examines recent studies with the use of non-18F-FDG/18F-NaF radiotracers in the identification and surveillance of cardiovascular diseases. We highlight the need for further investigation into alternative PET radiotracers to demonstrate their clinical value in the management of these pathologies.