Incremental Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of 68Ga-DOTA-SA-FAPI PET/CT Imaging in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

What this Trial Is About

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart muscle disease causing fibrofatty replacement of the heart muscle, ventricular arrhythmias, and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Early diagnosis is difficult, especially when structural changes are subtle or missing on standard imaging like echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study evaluates whether a new imaging method, 68Ga-DOTA-SA-FAPI PET/CT, which detects active fibrosis by targeting activated fibroblasts, can improve diagnosis and risk assessment in adults with ARVC. Fifteen adult patients with confirmed ARVC will undergo 68Ga-DOTA-SA-FAPI PET/CT imaging alongside clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and review of previously performed cardiac MRI. The PET/CT involves injecting a tracer, resting for 40-60 minutes, and then imaging the heart to assess fibroblast activity. No new cardiac MRI will be done as part of the study. The study aims to compare PET/CT findings with conventional imaging and clinical data, including in patients who cannot have cardiac MRI. Participants will be monitored clinically for six months after imaging to observe any arrhythmic events, heart function changes, and laboratory markers. The study will assess whether PET/CT provides additional information about active myocardial fibrosis that could aid diagnosis and risk stratification in ARVC. Data will be collected confidentially, and results may support larger future studies on molecular imaging in inherited cardiomyopathies.

FAPI PET/CT Imaging in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) (FAPI-ARVC))