Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Z. and M.A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, M.-J. and H.R. Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development, SDN Foundation, Naples, Italy
Z. and M. A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, M. -J. and H. R. Kravis Center for Cardiovascular Health, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
References: Not available.
Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis in translational medicine
Functional characterization of atherosclerosis is a promising application of molecular imaging. Radionuclide-based techniques for molecular imaging in the large arteries (e.g. aorta and carotids), along with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been studied both experimentally and in clinical studies. Technical factors including cardiac and respiratory motion, low spatial resolution and partial volume effects mean that noninvasive molecular imaging of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries is not ready for prime time. Positron emission tomography imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose can measure vascular inflammation in the large arteries with high reproducibility, and signal change in response to anti-inflammatory therapy has been described. MRI has proven of value for quantifying carotid artery inflammation when iron oxide nanoparticles are used as a contrast agent. Macrophage accumulation of the iron particles allows regression of inflammation to be measured with drug therapy. Similarly, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is also being evaluated for functional characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. For all of these techniques, however, large-scale clinical trials are mandatory to define the prognostic importance of the imaging signals in terms of risk of future vascular events.
Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis in translational medicine
Ntziachristos V, Cuénod CA, Fournier L, Balvay D, Pradel C, Siauve N, Clement O, Jouannot E, Lucidarme O, Vecchio SD, Salvatore M, Law B, Tung C-H, Jain RK, Fukumura D, Munn LL, Brown EB, Schellenberger E, Montet X, Weissleder R, Clerck ND, Postnov A * Tumor Imaging(476 views) Textbook Of In Vivo Imaging In Vertebrates (ISSN: 9780-4700), 2007 Jul 16; 1: 277-309. Impact Factor:1.148 ViewExport to BibTeXExport to EndNote