Imaging Agent Diagnoses Deep Vein Thrombosis

An imaging agent, detectable by a gamma camera, can be a valuable tool for pulmonologists who need to assess patient risk for pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis (VT), according to Jay Blum, M.D., clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine (Tucson, USA). Dr. Blum presented an overview of his experience with the agent, called AcuTect, at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Chicago.

Unlike other detection methods, Dr. Blum noted, AcuTect exploits the biologic properties of DVT to yield a highly accurate, universally available test for its presence. AcuTect combines a small-molecule synthetic peptide with a molecule of technetium-99m. The peptide is designed to adhere to activated platelets, unique to active thrombus formation, while technetium-99m emits a harmless gamma ray. AcuTect can detect clots caused by trauma, surgery, or inactivity. The agent can image calf veins, pelvic veins, veins in obese patients, and veins obstructed by orthopedic casts.

AcuTect biochemistry facilitates differentiation between acute DVT, which requires treatment with blood thinners, and chronic DVT, which does not, said Dr. Blum. Making this distinction in a timely fashion will spare unnecessary blood thinning in the general population, which was difficult to accomplish prior to the availability of AcuTect.

Acutect is the product of Diatide, Inc., which was recently acquired by Schering AG (Berlin, Germany).