Multiorgan Imaging for Interorgan Crosstalk in Cardiometabolic Diseases
Devesa A., Delgado V., Valkovic L., Lima JAC., Nagel E., Ibanez B., Raman B.
Cardiometabolic diseases encompass a group of conditions characterized by metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities that increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These syndromes involve multiple organs, including the heart, arterial system, brain, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, hematopoietic system, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. The crosstalk between these organs contributes to the development of disease. Advances in imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, have revolutionized the evaluation of these conditions. Hybrid imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography and positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, provide unique insights into the anatomy and metabolic alterations occurring in response to cardiometabolic risk factors. These methods are particularly valuable for assessing multisystemic involvement and interorgan crosstalk, revealing critical interactions such as the brain-heart axis, the heart-liver axis, and the fat-muscle-heart dynamics. This review discusses the role of state-of-the-art imaging techniques in evaluating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these complex syndromes and the clinical applications of the different imaging techniques in the assessment of cardiometabolic diseases.