Case report of LVEF derived from gated FDG-PET: potential to streamline cardiotoxic surveillance in melanoma patients

Background: Advances in cancer therapy have improved patient outcomes, but cardiotoxicity remains a significant risk. In melanoma patients treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, monitoring left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during treatment is recommended to detect cardiac dysfunction. Despite the widespread use of FDG-PET in oncology, its potential for concurrent cardiac assessment remains underexplored. Methods: A 42-year-old male undergoing treatment for disseminated melanoma underwent measurements of LVEF using four modalities: 3D-MUGA, 3D echocardiography, Rb-PET, and gated FDG-PET. Results: LVEF was within the normal range across all modalities: 60% (3D-MUGA), 61% (3D echocardiography), 63% (Rb-PET), and 65% (FDG-PET). Conclusion: This case presents an estimation of LVEF derived from a clinically indicated, FDG-PET scan, performed alongside three conventional modalities on the same day. This approach may be particularly useful in melanoma patients who undergo frequent FDG-PET scans. While the findings are promising, broader validation is needed.