1
|
Wei H, Tan T, Cheng L, Liu J, Song H, Li L, Zhang K. MRI tracing of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle‑labeled endothelial progenitor cells for repairing atherosclerotic vessels in rabbits. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:3327-3337. [PMID: 32945451 PMCID: PMC7453557 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been discovered to be relevant to the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Previous research has demonstrated that EPCs serve vital roles in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Significant improvements have been made in MRI technology and in the experimental use of EPCs for therapeutic angiogenesis and vascular repair. Nevertheless, the migratory, adhesive, proliferative and angiogenic properties of EPCs remain unknown. The aims of the present study were to investigate the potential of using non-invasive monitoring with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (USPION)-labeled endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after transplantation, and to assess the treatment outcomes in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. EPCs derived from rabbit peripheral blood samples were labeled with USPION-poly-l-lysine (USPION-PLL). The morphology, proliferation, adhesive ability and labeling efficiency of the EPCs were determined by optical and electron microscopy. Moreover, biological activity was assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, T2-weighted image fast spin-echo MRI was used to detect cell labeling. USPION content in the labeled EPCs was determined by Prussian blue staining and scanning electron microscopy. Rabbit atherosclerosis model was established using a high-fat diet. USPION-labeled EPCs were transplanted into rabbits, and in vivo MRI was performed 1 and 7 days after transplantation. It was found that EPCs cultured on Matrigel formed capillary-like structures, and expressed the surface markers CD133, CD31, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The optimal USPION concentration was 32 µg/ml, as determined by adhesion and proliferation assays. It was identified that USPION-PLL nanoparticles were 10–20 nm in diameter. Histopathological analysis results indicated that 1 day after transplantation of the labeled EPCs, blue-stained granules were observed in the intima of vascular lesions in rabbit models after Prussian blue staining. Therefore, the present results suggest that USPION-labeled EPCs may play a role in repairing endothelial injury and preventing atherosclerosis in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Tan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| | - Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Hongyan Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Plaque characteristics of middle cerebral artery assessed using strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) and vessel wall MR contribute to misery downstream perfusion in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis. Eur Radiol 2020; 31:65-75. [PMID: 32740814 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07055-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess plaque vulnerability of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) versus high-resolution vessel wall MRI (hr-vwMRI), and explore the relationship between plaque characteristics and misery downstream perfusion. METHODS Ninety-one patients with single MCA atherosclerotic plaques underwent STAGE and hr-vwMRI were categorized into a group with misery perfusion and a group without based on the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (MTT-ASPECTS) with a threshold of 6. Plaque characteristics including inner lumen area (IWA), susceptibility, presence of hyperintensity within plaque (HIP), surface irregularity, stenosis degree, remodeling index, lipid ratio, and enhancement grade were compared between the two groups. The vulnerability of each plaque was retrospectively assessed on both STAGE and hr-vwMRI according to the combination of plaque features. Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve were performed to evaluate the effect of plaque characteristics on the presence of misery perfusion. RESULTS Taking hr-vwMRI as the reference, STAGE showed good efficiency in detecting vulnerable plaques. Patients with misery perfusion had less IWA, higher stenosis degree, more irregular surface and HIP, higher enhancement grade, and susceptibility (p < 0.01 for all). Higher susceptibility and stenosis degree were independent predictors for the occurrence of misery perfusion (p = 0.025, p = 0.048). The AUC was 0.900 for the combination of the two variables. CONCLUSION STAGE shows good efficiency to assess MCA plaque vulnerability versus hr-vwMRI. Plaque susceptibility evaluated using STAGE provides incremental value to predict misery perfusion combined with hr-vwMRI plaque features. KEY POINTS • STAGE has good efficiency in evaluating MCA plaque vulnerability versus hr-vwMRI. • Higher plaque susceptibility assessed using STAGE and higher grade luminal stenosis based on hr-vwMRI attribute to misery downstream perfusion. • STAGE provides incremental value on the understanding of plaque vulnerability in addition to conventional hr-vwMRI.
Collapse
|
3
|
Ikebe Y, Ishimaru H, Imai H, Abe K, Izumo T, Morofuji Y, Ideguchi R, Morikawa M, Uetani M. Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping for Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques: A Pilot Study. Magn Reson Med Sci 2019; 19:135-140. [PMID: 31155568 PMCID: PMC7232036 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.mp.2018-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Identifying plaque components such as intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid rich necrosis, and calcification is important to evaluate vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque; however, conventional vessel wall MR imaging may fail to discriminate plaque components. We aimed to evaluate the components of plaques using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), a newly developed post-processing technique to provide voxel-based quantitative susceptibilities. Methods: Seven patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were enrolled. Magnitude and phase images of five-echo 3D fast low angle shot (FLASH) were obtained using a 3T MRI, and QSM was calculated from the phase images. Conventional carotid vessel wall images (black-blood T1-weighted images [T1WI], T2-weighted images [T2WI], proton-density weighted images [PDWI], and time-of-flight images [TOF]) were also obtained. Pathological findings including intraplaque hemorrhage, calcification, and lipid rich necrosis at the thickest plaque section were correlated with relative susceptibility values with respect to the sternocleidomastoid muscle on QSM. On conventional vessel wall images, the contrast–noise ratio (CNR) between the three components and sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test analyses were performed to assess the relative susceptibility values and CNR. Results: Pathologically, lipid rich necrosis was proved in all of seven cases, and intraplaque hemorrhage in five of seven cases. Mean relative susceptibility value of hemorrhage was higher than lipid rich necrosis unexceptionally (P = 0.0313). There were no significant differences between CNR of hemorrhage and lipid rich necrosis on all sequences. In all six cases with plaque calcification, susceptibility value of calcification was significantly lower than lipid rich necrosis unexceptionally (P = 0.0156). There were significant differences between CNRs of lipid rich necrosis and calcification on T1WI, PDWI, TOF (P < 0.05). Conclusion: QSM of carotid plaque would provide a novel quantitative MRI contrast that enables reliable differentiation among intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid rich necrosis, and calcification, and be useful to identify vulnerable plaques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ikebe
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Hideki Ishimaru
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | | | - Kuniko Abe
- Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Tsuyoshi Izumo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Yoichi Morofuji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Reiko Ideguchi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Minoru Morikawa
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Masataka Uetani
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cavallo AU, Koktzoglou I, Edelman RR, Gilkeson R, Mihai G, Shin T, Rajagopalan S. Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography for the Diagnosis of Peripheral Vascular Disease. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2019; 12:e008844. [DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.118.008844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Armando Ugo Cavallo
- Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University Hospitals, Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH (A.U.C., R.G., T.S., S.R.)
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Policlinico “Tor Vergata”, Roma, Italy (A.U.C.)
| | - Ioannis Koktzoglou
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL (I.K., R.R.E.)
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, IL (I.K.)
| | - Robert R. Edelman
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL (I.K., R.R.E.)
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (R.R.E.)
| | - Robert Gilkeson
- Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University Hospitals, Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH (A.U.C., R.G., T.S., S.R.)
| | - Georgeta Mihai
- Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (G.M.)
| | - Taehoon Shin
- Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University Hospitals, Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH (A.U.C., R.G., T.S., S.R.)
- Division of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea (T.S.)
| | - Sanjay Rajagopalan
- Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University Hospitals, Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH (A.U.C., R.G., T.S., S.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pereira T, Betriu A, Alves R. Non-invasive imaging techniques and assessment of carotid vasa vasorum neovascularization: Promises and pitfalls. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2018; 29:71-80. [PMID: 29970286 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Carotid adventitia vasa vasorum neovascularization (VVn) is associated with the initial stages of arteriosclerosis and with the formation of unstable plaque. However, techniques to accurately quantify that neovascularization in a standard, fast, non-invasive, and efficient way are still lacking. The development of such techniques holds the promise of enabling wide, inexpensive, and safe screening programs that could stratify patients and help in personalized preventive cardiovascular medicine. In this paper, we review the recent scientific literature pertaining to imaging techniques that could set the stage for the development of standard methods for quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaque and carotid VVn. We present and discuss the alternative imaging techniques being used in clinical practice and we review the computational developments that are contributing to speed up image analysis and interpretation. We conclude that one of the greatest upcoming challenges will be the use of machine learning techniques to develop automated methods that assist in the interpretation of images to stratify patients according to their risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Pereira
- Institute for Biomedical Research in Lleida Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Catalonia, Spain; Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, University of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - A Betriu
- Unit for the Detection and Treatment of Atherothrombotic Diseases, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Catalonia, Spain; Vascular and Renal Translational Research Group - IRBLleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - R Alves
- Institute for Biomedical Research in Lleida Dr. Pifarré Foundation, Catalonia, Spain; Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, University of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kerwin WS, Miller Z, Yuan C. Imaging of the high-risk carotid plaque: magnetic resonance imaging. Semin Vasc Surg 2017; 30:54-61. [PMID: 28818259 DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the concept of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque has led to considerable interest in noninvasive imaging techniques to identify high-risk features before clinical sequelae. For plaques in the carotid arteries, magnetic resonance imaging has undergone considerable histologic validation to link imaging features to indicators of plaque instability, including plaque burden, intraplaque hemorrhage, fibrous cap disruption, lipid rich necrotic core, and calcification. Recently introduced imaging technologies, especially those focused on three-dimensional imaging sequences, are now poised for integration into the clinical workup of patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis. The purpose of this article is to review the carotid plaque magnetic resonance imaging techniques that are most ready for integration into the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William S Kerwin
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Zach Miller
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Chun Yuan
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu S, Buch S, Chen Y, Choi HS, Dai Y, Habib C, Hu J, Jung JY, Luo Y, Utriainen D, Wang M, Wu D, Xia S, Haacke EM. Susceptibility-weighted imaging: current status and future directions. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2017; 30:10.1002/nbm.3552. [PMID: 27192086 PMCID: PMC5116013 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a method that uses the intrinsic nature of local magnetic fields to enhance image contrast in order to improve the visibility of various susceptibility sources and to facilitate diagnostic interpretation. It is also the precursor to the concept of the use of phase for quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Nowadays, SWI has become a widely used clinical tool to image deoxyhemoglobin in veins, iron deposition in the brain, hemorrhages, microbleeds and calcification. In this article, we review the basics of SWI, including data acquisition, data reconstruction and post-processing. In particular, the source of cusp artifacts in phase images is investigated in detail and an improved multi-channel phase data combination algorithm is provided. In addition, we show a few clinical applications of SWI for the imaging of stroke, traumatic brain injury, carotid vessel wall, siderotic nodules in cirrhotic liver, prostate cancer, prostatic calcification, spinal cord injury and intervertebral disc degeneration. As the clinical applications of SWI continue to expand both in and outside the brain, the improvement of SWI in conjunction with QSM is an important future direction of this technology. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saifeng Liu
- The MRI Institute for Biomedical Research, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Sagar Buch
- The MRI Institute for Biomedical Research, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, US
| | - Hyun-Seok Choi
- Department of Radiology, St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yongming Dai
- The MRI Institute of Biomedical Research, Detroit, Michigan, US
| | - Charbel Habib
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, US
| | - Jiani Hu
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, US
| | - Joon-Yong Jung
- Department of Radiology, St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Luo
- Department of Radiology, the Branch of Shanghai First Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - David Utriainen
- The MRI Institute of Biomedical Research, Detroit, Michigan, US
| | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Dongmei Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Xia
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - E. Mark Haacke
- The MRI Institute for Biomedical Research, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, US
- The MRI Institute of Biomedical Research, Detroit, Michigan, US
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Address correspondence to: E. Mark Haacke, Ph.D., 3990 John R Street, MRI Concourse, Detroit, MI 48201. 313-745-1395,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang Y, Qiu J, Luo S, Xie X, Zheng Y, Zhang K, Ye Z, Liu W, Gregersen H, Wang G. High shear stress induces atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque formation through angiogenesis. Regen Biomater 2016; 3:257-67. [PMID: 27482467 PMCID: PMC4966293 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbw021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques causing thrombosis is the main cause of acute coronary syndrome and ischemic strokes. Inhibition of thrombosis is one of the important tasks developing biomedical materials such as intravascular stents and vascular grafts. Shear stress (SS) influences the formation and development of atherosclerosis. The current review focuses on the vulnerable plaques observed in the high shear stress (HSS) regions, which localizes at the proximal region of the plaque intruding into the lumen. The vascular outward remodelling occurs in the HSS region for vascular compensation and that angiogenesis is a critical factor for HSS which induces atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque formation. These results greatly challenge the established belief that low shear stress is important for expansive remodelling, which provides a new perspective for preventing the transition of stable plaques to high-risk atherosclerotic lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Juhui Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Shisui Luo
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Xiang Xie
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Zhiyi Ye
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Wanqian Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Hans Gregersen
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China; Taiji Group Co, Ltd, Chongqing, 401147, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Weingärtner S, Meßner NM, Zöllner FG, Akçakaya M, Schad LR. Black-blood native T 1 mapping: Blood signal suppression for reduced partial voluming in the myocardium. Magn Reson Med 2016; 78:484-493. [PMID: 27634050 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the feasibility of black-blood contrast in native T1 mapping for reduction of partial voluming at the blood-myocardium interface. METHODS A saturation pulse prepared heart-rate-independent inversion recovery (SAPPHIRE) T1 mapping sequence was combined with motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (MSDE) blood suppression for black-blood T1 mapping at 3 Tesla. Phantom scans were performed to assess the T1 time accuracy. In vivo black-blood and conventional SAPPHIRE T1 mapping was performed in eight healthy subjects and analyzed for T1 times, precision, and inter- and intraobserver variability. Furthermore, manually drawn regions of interest (ROIs) in all T1 maps were dilated and eroded to analyze the dependence of septal T1 times on the ROI thickness. RESULTS Phantom results and in vivo myocardial T1 times show comparable accuracy with black-blood compared to conventional SAPPHIRE (in vivo: black-blood: 1562 ± 56 ms vs. conventional: 1583 ± 58 ms, P = 0.20); Using black-blood SAPPHIRE precision was significantly lower (standard deviation: 133.9 ± 24.6 ms vs. 63.1 ± 6.4 ms, P < .0001), and blood T1 time measurement was not possible. Significantly increased interobserver interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (0.996 vs. 0.967, P = 0.011) and similar intraobserver ICC (0.979 vs. 0.939, P = 0.11) was obtained with the black-blood sequence. Conventional SAPPHIRE showed strong dependence on the ROI thickness (R2 = 0.99). No such trend was observed using the black-blood approach (R2 = 0.29). CONCLUSION Black-blood SAPPHIRE successfully eliminates partial voluming at the blood pool in native myocardial T1 mapping while providing accurate T1 times, albeit at a reduced precision. Magn Reson Med 78:484-493, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Weingärtner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.,Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Nadja M Meßner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) partner site Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frank G Zöllner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mehmet Akçakaya
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.,Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Plaque imaging by MR imaging provides a wealth of information on the characteristics of individual plaque that may reveal vulnerability to rupture, likelihood of progression, or optimal treatment strategy. T1-weighted and T2-weighted images among other options reveal plaque morphology and composition. Dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR imaging reveals plaque activity. To extract this information, image processing tools are needed. Numerous approaches for analyzing such images have been developed, validated against histologic gold standards, and used in clinical studies. These efforts are summarized in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Room No. 109, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Room No. 120, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - William Kerwin
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wildgruber M, Swirski FK, Zernecke A. Molecular imaging of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Am J Cancer Res 2013; 3:865-84. [PMID: 24312156 PMCID: PMC3841337 DOI: 10.7150/thno.5771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute rupture of vulnerable plaques frequently leads to myocardial infarction and stroke. Within the last decades, several cellular and molecular players have been identified that promote atherosclerotic lesion formation, maturation and plaque rupture. It is now widely recognized that inflammation of the vessel wall and distinct leukocyte subsets are involved throughout all phases of atherosclerotic lesion development. The mechanisms that render a stable plaque unstable and prone to rupture, however, remain unknown and the identification of the vulnerable plaque remains a major challenge in cardiovascular medicine. Imaging technologies used in the clinic offer minimal information about the underlying biology and potential risk for rupture. New imaging technologies are therefore being developed, and in the preclinical setting have enabled new and dynamic insights into the vessel wall for a better understanding of this complex disease. Molecular imaging has the potential to track biological processes, such as the activity of cellular and molecular biomarkers in vivo and over time. Similarly, novel imaging technologies specifically detect effects of therapies that aim to stabilize vulnerable plaques and silence vascular inflammation. Here we will review the potential of established and new molecular imaging technologies in the setting of atherosclerosis, and discuss the cumbersome steps required for translating molecular imaging approaches into the clinic.
Collapse
|
12
|
Nieuwstadt HA, Geraedts TR, Truijman MTB, Kooi ME, van der Lugt A, van der Steen AFW, Wentzel JJ, Breeuwer M, Gijsen FJH. Numerical simulations of carotid MRI quantify the accuracy in measuring atherosclerotic plaque components in vivo. Magn Reson Med 2013; 72:188-201. [PMID: 23943090 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Atherosclerotic carotid plaques can be quantified in vivo by MRI. However, the accuracy in segmentation and quantification of components such as the thin fibrous cap (FC) and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) remains unknown due to the lack of a submillimeter scale ground truth. METHODS A novel approach was taken by numerically simulating in vivo carotid MRI providing a ground truth comparison. Upon evaluation of a simulated clinical protocol, MR readers segmented simulated images of cross-sectional plaque geometries derived from histological data of 12 patients. RESULTS MR readers showed high correlation (R) and intraclass correlation (ICC) in measuring the luminal area (R = 0.996, ICC = 0.99), vessel wall area (R = 0.96, ICC = 0.94) and LRNC area (R = 0.95, ICC = 0.94). LRNC area was underestimated (mean error, -24%). Minimum FC thickness showed a mediocre correlation and intraclass correlation (R = 0.71, ICC = 0.69). CONCLUSION Current clinical MRI can quantify carotid plaques but shows limitations for thin FC thickness quantification. These limitations could influence the reliability of carotid MRI for assessing plaque rupture risk associated with FC thickness. Overall, MRI simulations provide a feasible methodology for assessing segmentation and quantification accuracy, as well as for improving scan protocol design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harm A Nieuwstadt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Faber T, Rippy A, Hyslop WB, Hinderliter A, Sen S. Cardiovascular MRI in Detection and Measurement of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke/TIA patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 1:139. [PMID: 24851233 PMCID: PMC4025943 DOI: 10.4172/2329-6895.1000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Aortic Atheroma (AoA) is an independent risk factor for new and recurrent stroke. AoA ulceration and mobility are associated with an increased risk for brain embolism. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for detection and measurement of AoA in stroke/TIA patients. Cardiovascular MRI (cMRI) could be an alternative, non-invasive imaging modality for stroke/TIA patients. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and correlation of AoA detected and measured by cMRI versus TEE in patients with recent stroke/TIA. Methods and results Twenty-two stroke/TIA patients undergoing TEE as a part of their stroke workup consented to a protocol-mandated cMRI performed on a 1.5 T magnet. The protocol included an axial non-breathhold EKG-gated dual-echo spin echo MRI of the thoracic aorta (TR/TE1/TE2=900/29/69) and a contrast-enhanced breathhold 3D gradient-echo image of the thorax (flip/TR/TE=12/4.0/1.71). Maximum plaque thickness, ulceration (≥ 2 mm) and mobility of AoA were assessed in the proximal (ascending and proximal arch) and distal (distal arch and descending) segments of thoracic aorta by a cardiologist to interpret the TEE and a radiologist to interpret the cMRI. There was good correlation between cMRI and TEE in measurement of plaque thickness in the proximal segments (R=0.73, p<0.0001) and the distal segments (R=0.81, p<0.0001) of the aortic arch (AA). cMRI had a high degree of accuracy in detecting measurable AoA (≥ 1 mm) in the proximal segments (sensitivity 90%, specificity 100%), as well as the distal segments (sensitivity 67%, specificity 100%). cMRI also had a high degree of accuracy in detecting significant AoA (≥ 4 mm) in proximal segments (sensitivity 71%, specificity 93%), as well as distal segments (sensitivity 71%, specificity 100%). Conclusion The study showed a high degree of accuracy and correlation of AoA detected and measured by cMRI as compared to TEE in patients with recent stroke/TIA. This technique has limitations in detection of AoA ulceration, and protocols assessing AoA mobility need to be developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Faber
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ashley Rippy
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - W Brian Hyslop
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Cardiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan Hinderliter
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Cardiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Souvik Sen
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Underhill HR, Yuan C. Carotid MRI: a tool for monitoring individual response to cardiovascular therapy? Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2011; 9:63-80. [PMID: 21166529 DOI: 10.1586/erc.10.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Stroke remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While stroke-related mortality has declined over the past four decades, data indicate that the mortality rate has begun to plateau. This change in trend may be attributable to variation in individual response to therapies that were derived from population-based studies. Further reductions in stroke mortality may require individualized care governed by directly monitoring the effects of cardiovascular therapy. In this article, carotid MRI is considered as a tool for monitoring in vivo carotid atherosclerotic disease, a principal etiology of stroke. Carotid MRI has been previously utilized to identify specific plaque features beyond luminal stenosis that are predictive of transient ischemic attack and stroke. To gain perspective on the possibility of monitoring plaque change within the individual, clinical trials and natural history studies that have used serial carotid MRI are considered. Data from these studies indicate that patients with a lipid-rich necrotic core with or without intraplaque hemorrhage may represent the desired phenotype for monitoring treatment effects in the individual. Advances in tissue-specific sequences, acquisition resolution, scan time, and techniques for monitoring inflammation and mechanical forces are expected to enable earlier detection of response to therapy. In so doing, cost-effective multicenter studies can be conducted to confirm the anticipated positive effects on outcomes of using carotid MRI for individualized care in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. In accordance, carotid MRI is poised to emerge as a powerful clinical tool for individualized management of carotid atherosclerotic disease to prevent stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hunter R Underhill
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, 1705 NE Pacific Street, K253, Box 357720, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|