Noninvasive Detection of Programmed Cell Loss with 99mTc-Labeled Annexin A5 in Heart Failure

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death (PCD), contributes to the decline in ventricular function in heart failure. Because apoptosis comprises a programmed cascade of events, it is potentially reversible, and timely intervention should delay the development of cardiomyopathy. (99m)Tc-Labeled annexin A5 has successfully been used for the noninvasive detection of PCD in myocardial infarction and heart transplant rejection. The present study evaluated the role of annexin A5 imaging for detection of PCD in heart failure patients. Annexin A5 imaging was performed on 9 consecutive heart failure patients with advanced nonischemic cardiomyopathy (dilated, n = 8; hypertrophic, n = 1) and in 2 relatives having the same genetic background as the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patient but no heart failure. Four of the patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and the 1 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure showed focal, multifocal, or global left ventricular uptake of annexin A5. No uptake was visualized in the remaining 4 patients or in the 2 controls. All cases showing annexin A5 uptake within the left ventricle experienced significant reduction in left ventricular function or functional class. In cases with no annexin A5 uptake, left ventricular function and clinical status remained stable. These data indicate the feasibility of noninvasive PCD detection with annexin imaging in heart failure patients. Annexin A5 uptake is associated with deterioration in left ventricular function, and this association may lend itself to the development of novel management strategies.