New PET tracer identifies DVT in legs and lungs

Article excerpt

Researchers have developed a novel PET radiotracer that can detect deep vein thrombosis in the legs and simultaneously reveal whether blood clots have migrated to the lungs, all in a single whole-body scan. The breakthrough addresses a critical diagnostic gap: patients suspected of DVT often require separate imaging to rule out the potentially fatal complication of pulmonary embolism. The new approach promises faster, more efficient diagnosis by consolidating these evaluations into one procedure. The research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's 2026 annual meeting.