New PET radiotracer shows high accuracy for detecting clots in the legs and lungs

A novel PET radiotracer can accurately detect deep vein thrombosis in the legs and reveal whether clots have migrated to the lungs. By enabling whole‑body imaging of blood clots in a single scan, the approach may support faster and more efficient diagnosis -- particularly for patients who also require evaluation for potentially life‑threatening pulmonary embolism. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2026 Annual Meeting, and the collection of images showcasing the visualization of blood clots in the legs and in the lungs, has been selected as the 2026 SNMMI Henry N. Wagner, Jr., Image of the Year.

Each year, SNMMI chooses an image that best exemplifies the most promising advances in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. The state-of-the-art technologies captured in these images demonstrate the capacity to improve patient care by detecting disease, aiding diagnosis, improving clinical confidence, and providing a means of selecting appropriate treatments. This year, the SNMMI Image of the Year was chosen from nearly 1,500 abstracts submitted for the meeting.

Deep vein thrombosis is a common disease in which blood clots form in the legs, and in some cases, travel to the lungs as a pulmonary embolism. It affects approximately 900,000 Americans a year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early detection is critical to ensure prompt treatment.
 

Available from: Read here