Non-invasive stress imaging methods of diagnosing peripheral arterial disease via dynamic pet

A method of diagnosing and/or treating a peripheral artery disease in a subject suffering from metabolic disease comprising:

• a) calculating a dose of Rb-82 chloride to be administered to the subject;
• b) administering the calculated dose of Rb-82 chloride to the subject by an automated generation and infusion system and scanning a region of interest;
• c) administering a pharmacologic stress agent and second dose protocol after resting dose infusion and scanning the region of interest;
• d) performing an assessment of images using continuous bed motion shuttle mode;
• and
• e) diagnosing peripheral arterial disease in the subject thereof;
• wherein the continuous bed motion shuttle mode is performing:
• i) a single bed positron emission tomography acquisition of the heart for about 1-10 minutes;
• ii) a single bed positron emission tomography acquisition of the leg for about 1-10 minutes;
• iii) a single bed centered positron emission tomography acquisition at abdominal aorta of the subject for about 1-3 minutes;
• iv) continuous bed motion positron emission tomography scan of the subject between abdominal aorta and legs;
• v) calculating an input function from abdominal artery based on one or more parameters selected from abdominal artery diameter and scanner resolution;
• and
• vi) calculating the tracer flux (K1) into the tissue or region of interest;
• wherein the tracer flux (K1) is less than 0.05 ml/min/cm3 in occluded tissue in comparison to non-occluded tissue and is associated with peripheral arterial disease.