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Hosoda H, Asaumi Y, Noguchi T, Morita Y, Kataoka Y, Otsuka F, Nakao K, Fujino M, Nagai T, Nakai M, Nishimura K, Kono A, Komori Y, Hoshi T, Sato A, Kawasaki T, Izumi C, Kusano K, Fukuda T, Yasuda S. Three-dimensional assessment of coronary high-intensity plaques with T1-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to predict periprocedural myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2020; 22:5. [PMID: 31941517 PMCID: PMC6964021 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-019-0588-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Periprocedural myocardial injury (pMI) is a common complication of elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that reduces some of the beneficial effects of coronary revascularization and impacts the risk of cardiovascular events. We developed a 3-dimensional volumetric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) method to evaluate coronary high intensity plaques and investigated their association with pMI after elective PCI. METHODS Between October 2012 and October 2016, 141 patients with stable coronary artery disease underwent T1-weighted CMR imaging before PCI. A conventional 2-dimensional CMR plaque-to-myocardial signal intensity ratio (2D-PMR) and the newly developed 3-dimensional integral of PMR (3Di-PMR) were measured. 3Di-PMR was determined as the sum of PMRs above a threshold of > 1.0 for voxels in a target plaque. pMI was defined as high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T > 0.07 ng/mL. RESULTS pMI following PCI was observed in 46 patients (33%). 3Di-PMR was significantly higher in patients with pMI than those without pMI. The optimal 3Di-PMR cutoff value for predicting pMI was 51 PMR*mm3 and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.753) was significantly greater than that for 2D-PMR (0.683, P = 0.015). 3Di-PMR was positively correlated with lipid volume (r = 0.449, P < 0.001) based on intravascular ultrasound. Stepwise multivariable analysis showed that 3Di-PMR ≥ 51 PMR*mm3 and the presence of a side branch at the PCI target lesion site were significant predictors of pMI (odds ratio [OR], 11.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6-30.4, P < 0.001; and OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.6-11.1, P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS 3Di-PMR coronary assessment facilitates risk stratification for pMI after elective PCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Hosoda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
- Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Asaumi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Teruo Noguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Morita
- Department of Radiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Yu Kataoka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
- Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Otsuka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nakao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Masashi Fujino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nagai
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Michikazu Nakai
- Department of Preventative Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Department of Preventative Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kono
- Department of Radiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Komori
- Department of Research and Collaboration, Siemens Japan KK, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Hoshi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Akira Sato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Chisato Izumi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Kengo Kusano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
| | - Tetsuya Fukuda
- Department of Radiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, 564-8565 Japan
- Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Santos A, Fernández-Friera L, Villalba M, López-Melgar B, España S, Mateo J, Mota RA, Jiménez-Borreguero J, Ruiz-Cabello J. Cardiovascular imaging: what have we learned from animal models? Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:227. [PMID: 26539113 PMCID: PMC4612690 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular imaging has become an indispensable tool for patient diagnosis and follow up. Probably the wide clinical applications of imaging are due to the possibility of a detailed and high quality description and quantification of cardiovascular system structure and function. Also phenomena that involve complex physiological mechanisms and biochemical pathways, such as inflammation and ischemia, can be visualized in a non-destructive way. The widespread use and evolution of imaging would not have been possible without animal studies. Animal models have allowed for instance, (i) the technical development of different imaging tools, (ii) to test hypothesis generated from human studies and finally, (iii) to evaluate the translational relevance assessment of in vitro and ex-vivo results. In this review, we will critically describe the contribution of animal models to the use of biomedical imaging in cardiovascular medicine. We will discuss the characteristics of the most frequent models used in/for imaging studies. We will cover the major findings of animal studies focused in the cardiovascular use of the repeatedly used imaging techniques in clinical practice and experimental studies. We will also describe the physiological findings and/or learning processes for imaging applications coming from models of the most common cardiovascular diseases. In these diseases, imaging research using animals has allowed the study of aspects such as: ventricular size, shape, global function, and wall thickening, local myocardial function, myocardial perfusion, metabolism and energetic assessment, infarct quantification, vascular lesion characterization, myocardial fiber structure, and myocardial calcium uptake. Finally we will discuss the limitations and future of imaging research with animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnoldo Santos
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES) Madrid, Spain ; Madrid-MIT M+Visión Consortium Madrid, Spain ; Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leticia Fernández-Friera
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; Hospital Universitario HM Monteprincipe Madrid, Spain
| | - María Villalba
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz López-Melgar
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; Hospital Universitario HM Monteprincipe Madrid, Spain
| | - Samuel España
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES) Madrid, Spain ; Madrid-MIT M+Visión Consortium Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Mateo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES) Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruben A Mota
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; Charles River Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Borreguero
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; Cardiac Imaging Department, Hospital de La Princesa Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ruiz-Cabello
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid, Spain ; CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES) Madrid, Spain ; Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid, Spain
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High Risk Plaque Features on Coronary CT Angiography. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12410-014-9279-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Accuracy of MDCT for detection and identification of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in a rabbit model. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014; 202:W176-81. [PMID: 24450701 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.12.10424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a need for a simple, rapid, and repeatable noninvasive imaging method to accurately assess carotid atherosclerotic plaque. The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of MDCT and carotid artery plaque analysis software for detecting and identifying atherosclerotic plaque in a rabbit model of carotid atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plaques from 14 rabbits and cross-sectional carotid artery specimens were detected, stained, and analyzed. Contrast-enhanced MDCT with application of carotid plaque analysis software was performed. Bland-Altman difference plots were used to assess interclass and intraclass consistency in lipid percentage and fibrous percentage on CT images. RESULTS A total of 76 of the 158 samples were true positive for plaque. On the basis of histopathologic examination of the samples, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CT for detecting plaque were 91.8%, 89.4%, and 94.5%, and the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the software for classifying lipid-rich plaques and fibrous plaques were 90.8%, 90.6%, and 90.9%. Repeated measurements by the same physician showed good repeatability, and measurements by two physicians independently showed good correlation. CONCLUSION The results showed that MDCT can be used to detect carotid atherosclerotic plaque and that carotid plaque analysis software can be used to measure the content of plaque composition and determine the nature of plaque.
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Kasraie N, Mah P, Keener CR, Clarke GD. Characterization of atherosclerotic plaque: a contrast-detail study using multidetector and cone-beam computed tomography. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2014; 15:4308. [PMID: 24423833 PMCID: PMC5711236 DOI: 10.1120/jacmp.v15i1.4308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A Hindmarsh-Rose model perceptibility phantom containing inserts with various in vitro atherosclerotic plaque compositions was constructed and imaged on a clinical 64 slice multidetector (MDCT) system using 80 and 120 kVp settings and two other cone-beam (CBCT) systems at 80 kVp. Perceptibility of the simulated lipid-fibrotic plaque solutions in the images was evaluated by six observers. The effective doses of the protocols employed were estimated using phantom CTDI-vol measurements placed at identical settings. The CBCT system allowed reduction in effective dose in comparison with the conventional MDCT system for imaging of the carotid plaque phantoms without degrading image quality. The CBCT dose was less than MDCT, with a mean dose of 1.14 ± 0.01 mSv and 1.11 ± 0.02 mSv for MDCT using two measuring techniques vs. 0.35 ± 0.01 mSv for CBCT. The image quality analysis showed no significant differences in the contrast-detail (C-D) curves of the best performing CBCT vs. clinical MDCT (p > 0.05) using a Mann-Whitney U test. Results indicate that low-tube-potential CBCT may produce comparable C-D resolution for phantom-based representations of soft plaque types with respect to MDCT systems. This study suggests that the utility of low kVp CT techniques for evaluating carotid vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque merits further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Kasraie
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
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Stenosis quantification of coronary arteries in coronary vessel phantoms with second-generation dual-source CT: influence of measurement parameters and limitations. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013; 201:W227-34. [PMID: 23883237 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.12.9453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to use second-generation dual-source CT to assess the influence of size, degree of stenosis, luminal contrast attenuation, and plaque geometry on stenosis quantification in a coronary artery phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six vessel phantoms with three outer diameters (2, 3, and 4 mm), each containing three radiolucent plaques (72.2 HU) that simulated eccentric and concentric 43.8%, 75%, and 93.8% stenoses were made with a 3D printer system. These phantoms were filled with an iodine-saline solution mixture at luminal attenuations of 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 HU and were attached to a cardiac motion simulator. Dual-source CT was performed with a standardized ECG-gated protocol (120 kV, 360 mAs per rotation) at a simulated heart rate of 70 beats/min. Two independent readers quantified the degree of stenosis using area-based measurements. RESULTS All measurements were highly reproducible (intraclass correlation, ≥ 0.791; p < 0.001). The mean measured degree of stenosis for a phantom with a 3-mm outer diameter at 250-HU luminal attenuation was 49.0% ± 10.0% for 43.8% stenosis, 71.7% ± 9.6% for 75.0% stenosis, and 85.4% ± 5.9% for 93.8% stenosis. With decreasing phantom size, measurement error increased for all degrees of stenosis. The absolute error increased for measurements at a low luminal attenuation of 150 HU (p < 0.001) and for low-grade stenoses compared with medium-and high-grade stenoses (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The results are an overview of factors that influence stenosis quantification in simulated coronary arteries. Dual-source CT is highly reproducible and accurate for quantification of low-density stenosis in vessels with a diameter of 3 mm and attenuation of at least 200 HU for different degrees of stenosis and plaque geometry.
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Entezari P, Kino A, Honarmand AR, Galizia MS, Yang Y, Collins J, Yaghmai V, Carr JC. Analysis of the thoracic aorta using a semi-automated post processing tool. Eur J Radiol 2013; 82:1558-64. [PMID: 23680155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluates a semi-automated method for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) measurement using ECG-gated Dual Source CT Angiogram (DSCTA). METHODS This retrospective HIPAA compliant study was approved by our IRB. Transaxial maximum diameters of outer wall to outer wall were studied in fifty patients at seven anatomic locations of the thoracic aorta: annulus, sinus, sinotubular junction (STJ), mid ascending aorta (MAA) at the level of right pulmonary artery, proximal aortic arch (PROX) immediately proximal to innominate artery, distal aortic arch (DIST) immediately distal to left subclavian artery, and descending aorta (DESC) at the level of diaphragm. Measurements were performed using a manual method and semi-automated software. All readers repeated their measurements. Inter-method, intra-observer and inter-observer agreements were evaluated according to intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot. The number of cases with manual contouring or center line adjustment for the semi-automated method and also the post-processing time for each method were recorded. RESULTS The mean difference between semi-automated and manual methods was less than 1.3mm at all seven points. Strong inter-method, inter-observer and intra-observer agreement was recorded at all levels (ICC ≥ 0.9). The maximum rate of manual adjustment of center line and contour was at the level of annulus. The average time for manual post-processing of the aorta was 19 ± 0.3 min, while it took 8.26 ± 2.1 min to do the measurements with the semi-automated tool (Vitrea version 6.0.0.1 software). The center line was edited manually at all levels, with most corrections at the level of annulus (60%), while the contour was adjusted at all levels with highest and lowest number of corrections at the levels of annulus and DESC (75% and 0.07% of the cases), respectively. CONCLUSION Compared to the commonly used manual method, semi-automated measurement of vessel dimensions is feasible in the thoracic aorta with the advantage of reduced post-processing time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Entezari
- Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Imaging, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.
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Kwan AC, Cater G, Vargas J, Bluemke DA. Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2013; 6:89-101. [PMID: 23524381 PMCID: PMC3601491 DOI: 10.1007/s12410-012-9183-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key non-invasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called "vulnerable" plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks and, in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA's ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan C Kwan
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences - National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Suzuki S, Machida H, Tanaka I, Ueno E. Measurement of vascular wall attenuation: Comparison of CT angiography using model-based iterative reconstruction with standard filtered back-projection algorithm CT in vitro. Eur J Radiol 2012; 81:3348-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Manfrini O, Russo V, Ciavarella A, Ceroni L, Montalti M, Fattori R. Coronary plaque quantification and composition in asymptomatic patients with type II diabetes mellitus. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2012; 13:423-31. [PMID: 22673024 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0b013e32835593f9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize the extent and morphology of coronary lesions in asymptomatic patients with type II diabetes mellitus. METHODS We enrolled 102 asymptomatic patients with type II diabetes mellitus and 97 patients without diabetes as controls. All individuals had no history of ischemic heart disease. They underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Plaque density and plaque volume were calculated using specific software on axial images. Arterial remodeling was evaluated with semiquantitative assessment on image reconstructions. RESULTS MDCT angiography revealed the presence of 124 coronary plaques in 46 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and 59 plaques in 21 controls (P<0.01). Diabetic patients had a significantly higher proportion of lesions with impaired adaptive remodeling (56.5 versus 35.6%, P<0.01), as compared with nondiabetic individuals. The volume of fibrofatty component was 0.1 cm (0.01-0.72) in diabetic patients and 0.08 cm (0.01-0.33) in controls (P=0.14). The calcium volume was 0.082 cm (0-0.558) in diabetic patients and 0.12 cm (0-0.669) in controls (P=0.21). Plaques with fibrofatty components had a significantly higher density in the diabetic cohort (58.76 ± 9.55 Hounsfield Units), as compared with the control group (47.31 ± 5.42 Hounsfield Units, P<0.001). Plaque density correlated with the duration of type II diabetes mellitus (r=0.37, P=0.044), but was independent of age, sex, hypertension and metabolic profile. In the control group, plaque density was independent of any covariate. CONCLUSION Coronary plaques in type II diabetes mellitus show a tendency to develop impaired adaptive remodeling and to have a higher tissue density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Manfrini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, dell'Invecchiamento e Malattie Nefrologiche, Italy
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Sharma S, Gebregziabher M, Parker AT, Abro JA, Armstrong AM, Schoepf UJ. Independent association between obstructive sleep apnea and noncalcified coronary plaque demonstrated by noninvasive coronary computed tomography angiography. Clin Cardiol 2012; 35:641-5. [PMID: 22949086 DOI: 10.1002/clc.22057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary artery atherosclerosis has been associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the type and severity of plaque formation have not been characterized. This study evaluated the association of coronary noncalcified plaques and severity of stenosis in patients with OSA. HYPOTHESIS METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of 81 patients, 49 with OSA and 32 without OSA, who had undergone multidetector-row helical computed tomography scanning. The board-certified radiologist was blinded to the diagnosis of OSA and reviewed the scans for plaque characterization, severity of stenosis, and number of vessels involved. RESULTS Of the 81 patients reviewed, the mean apnea-hypopnea index in the OSA group was 42.2 vs 7.5 in the non-OSA group. The groups did not significantly differ in the distribution of comorbid conditions. We found that among the patients with OSA, 63% had noncalcified/mixed plaques, as opposed to 16% in the non-OSA group (P < 0.0001), with unadjusted odds ratio of 9.3 (3.0, 28.4). After adjustment for other risk factors such as age, sex, race, hypercholesterolemia, and history of smoking, the association remained strong, with an odds ratio of 7.0 (1.9, 26.5; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study finds that the frequency of noncalcified/mixed plaques is much higher in patients with OSA than in non-OSA patients. Patients with OSA also have more severe stenosis and a higher number of vessels involved. This study adds to a growing body of data regarding our understanding of the association of OSA and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Sharma
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
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Suzuki S, Kidouchi T, Kuwahara S, Vembar M, Takei R, Yamamoto A. Precision and accuracy in CT attenuation measurement of vascular wall using region-of-interest supported by differentiation curve. Eur J Radiol 2012; 81:757-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Zagorchev L, Mulligan-Kehoe MJ. Advances in imaging angiogenesis and inflammation in atherosclerosis. Thromb Haemost 2011; 105:820-7. [PMID: 21331441 DOI: 10.1160/th10-08-0562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in imaging technology have provided powerful tools for dissecting the angiogenic and inflammatory aspects of atherosclerosis. Improved technology along with multi-modal approaches has expanded the utilisation of imaging. Recent advances provide the ability to better define structure and development of angiogenic vessels, identify relationships between inflammatory mediators and the vessel wall, validate biological effects of anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic drugs, delivery and/or targeting specific molecules to inflammatory regions of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zagorchev
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Hur J, Kim YJ, Shim HS, Lee HJ, Nam JE, Choe KO, Choi BW. Assessment of atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model by delayed-phase contrast-enhanced CT angiography: comparison with histopathology. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2011; 28:353-63. [PMID: 21279690 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-011-9801-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare delayed-phase computed tomography angiography (CTA) attenuation values with histopathology, in ability to differentiate between fibrous and lipid-rich plaques in an experimental rabbit model. Twelve atherosclerotic rabbits underwent CTA of the abdominal aorta. The scan protocol included early-phase scans (EP), delayed scans at 90 s after contrast injection (DP(90s)), delayed scans at 10 min after contrast injection (DP(10min)), and delayed scan with saline infusion (DP(Saline)). Plaque composition was analyzed by histopathology (% of lipid-rich, fibrous and macrophage areas) and CT attenuation values in Hounsfield units. Using histopathology as the reference standard (n = 119), the overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 64-slice CTA for the detection of plaques was 59, 100 and 79% for the EP scans; 88, 100 and 94% for the DP(90s) scans; 81, 100 and 90% for the DP(10min) scans; and 53, 100 and 76% for the DP(Saline) scans. CT density measurements showed a substantial overlap between fibrous and lipid-rich plaques, and poor correlations with the percentage of macrophage areas in both fibrous and lipid-rich plaques (r = 0.408, and r = 0.333). In delayed-phase 64-slice CTA, DP(90s) images have the best diagnostic performance for the detection of aortic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hur
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, 134 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
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Use of Contrast Enhancement and High-Resolution 3D Black-Blood MRI to Identify Inflammation in Atherosclerosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2010; 3:1127-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2010.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/23/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Suzuki T, Nozawa T, Fujii N, Sobajima M, Ohori T, Shida T, Matsuki A, Kameyama T, Inoue H. Plaque regression in one artery is not necessarily associated with parallel changes in other vascular beds. Heart Vessels 2010; 26:242-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00380-010-0049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Shum J, DiMartino ES, Goldhamme A, Goldman DH, Acker LC, Patel G, Ng JH, Martufi G, Finol EA. Semiautomatic vessel wall detection and quantification of wall thickness in computed tomography images of human abdominal aortic aneurysms. Med Phys 2010; 37:638-48. [PMID: 20229873 DOI: 10.1118/1.3284976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative measurements of wall thickness in human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) may lead to more accurate methods for the evaluation of their biomechanical environment. METHODS The authors describe an algorithm for estimating wall thickness in AAAs based on intensity histograms and neural networks involving segmentation of contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography images. The algorithm was applied to ten ruptured and ten unruptured AAA image data sets. Two vascular surgeons manually segmented the lumen, inner wall, and outer wall of each data set and a reference standard was defined as the average of their segmentations. Reproducibility was determined by comparing the reference standard to lumen contours generated automatically by the algorithm and a commercially available software package. Repeatability was assessed by comparing the lumen, outer wall, and inner wall contours, as well as wall thickness, made by the two surgeons using the algorithm. RESULTS There was high correspondence between automatic and manual measurements for the lumen area (r = 0.978 and r = 0.996 for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, respectively) and between vascular surgeons (r = 0.987 and r = 0.992 for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, respectively). The authors' automatic algorithm showed better results when compared to the reference with an average lumen error of 3.69%, which is less than half the error between the commercially available application Simpleware and the reference (7.53%). Wall thickness measurements also showed good agreement between vascular surgeons with average coefficients of variation of 10.59% (ruptured aneurysms) and 13.02% (unruptured aneurysms). Ruptured aneurysms exhibit significantly thicker walls (1.78 +/- 0.39 mm) than unruptured ones (1.48 +/- 0.22 mm), p = 0.044. CONCLUSIONS While further refinement is needed to fully automate the outer wall segmentation algorithm, these preliminary results demonstrate the method's adequate reproducibility and low interobserver variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Shum
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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18
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Recent developments and new perspectives on imaging of atherosclerotic plaque: role of anatomical, cellular and molecular MRI Part I and II. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2010; 26:433-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-009-9565-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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19
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How reliable are 40 MHz IVUS and 64-slice MDCT in characterizing coronary plaque composition? An ex vivo study with histopathological comparison. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2010; 26:373-83. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-009-9562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Maurovich-Horvat P, Ferencik M, Bamberg F, Hoffmann U. Methods of plaque quantification and characterization by cardiac computed tomography. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2009; 3 Suppl 2:S91-8. [PMID: 20129522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2009.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The pathologic evolution of coronary artery atherosclerosis occurs slowly over decades, which may provide an opportunity for diagnostic imaging to identify patients before clinical events evolve. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is an emerging noninvasive imaging tool, which can visualize the entire coronary tree with submillimeter resolution. We reviewed the current status of cardiac CT to qualitatively and quantitatively determine coronary plaque dimensions and composition, and its potential to improve our understanding of the natural history of coronary artery disease as well as prevention of cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pal Maurovich-Horvat
- Department of Radiology, Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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21
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Horiguchi J, Fujioka C, Kiguchi M, Yamamoto H, Shen Y, Kihara Y. In vitro measurement of CT density and estimation of stenosis related to coronary soft plaque at 100 kV and 120 kV on ECG-triggered scan. Eur J Radiol 2009; 77:294-8. [PMID: 19716249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2009] [Accepted: 08/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to compare 100 kV and 120 kV prospective electrocardiograph (ECG)-triggered axial coronary 64-detector CT angiography (64-MDCTA) in soft plaque diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Coronary artery models (n = 5) with artificial soft plaques (-32 HU to 53 HU at 120 kV) with three stenosis levels (25%, 50% and 75%) on a cardiac phantom (mimicking slim patient's environment) were scanned in heart rates of 55, 60 and 65 beats per minute (bpm). Four kinds of intracoronary enhancement (205 HU, 241 HU, 280 HU and 314 HU) were simulated. The soft plaque density and the measurement error of stenosis (in percentage), evaluated by two independent observers, were compared between 100 kV and 120 kV. The radiation dose was estimated. RESULTS Interobserver correlation of the measurement was excellent (density; r = 0.95 and stenosis measure; r = 0.97). Neither the density of soft plaque nor the measurement error of stenosis was different between 100 kV and 120 kV (p = 0.22 and 0.08). The estimated radiation doses were 2.0 mSv and 3.3 mSv (in 14 cm coverage) on 100 kV and 120 kV prospective ECG-triggered axial scans, respectively. CONCLUSION The 100 kV prospective ECG-triggered coronary MDCTA has comparable performance to 120 kV coronary CTA in terms of soft plaque densitometry and measurement of stenosis, with a reduced effective dose of 2 mSv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Horiguchi
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
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Ibanez B, Cimmino G, Bénézet-Mazuecos J, Santos-Gallego CG, Pinero A, Prat-González S, Speidl WS, Fuster V, García MJ, Sanz J, Badimon JJ. Quantification of serial changes in plaque burden using multi-detector computed tomography in experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2009; 202:185-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2008] [Revised: 02/28/2008] [Accepted: 03/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Rodriguez Granillo GA. Non-invasive assessment of vulnerable plaque. EXPERT OPINION ON MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS 2009; 3:53-66. [PMID: 23495963 DOI: 10.1517/17530050802607357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden cardiac death or unheralded acute coronary syndromes are common initial manifestations of coronary atherosclerosis and most such events occur at sites of non-flow limiting coronary atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE Non-invasive detection of high-risk plaques might provide a means to improve risk stratification in primary and secondary prevention settings. METHODS This review is focused on the potential of multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCT-CA) to provide the opportunity to identify different aspects of plaque vulnerability throughout the coronary tree in an accurate, fast, safe and non-invasive manner. CONCLUSION Coronary artery calcium scoring, on top of established risk stratification, could potentially be a cost-effective strategy for primary prevention. MDCT-CA allows a non-invasive evaluation of several features commonly seen in vulnerable plaques and has demonstrated an independent prognostic value on a patient basis. The value of the technique itself might result, potentially, in a better estimation of the relative risk of an invidual plaque to rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón A Rodriguez Granillo
- Otamendi Hospital, Clínica La Sagrada Familia, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Department of Cardiovascular Imaging, Azcuenaga 870, Buenos Aires, Argentina +54 11 49648740 ; +54 11 49648740 ;
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Abstract
In a large proportion of previously asymptomatic individuals, sudden coronary death or acute myocardial infarction occurs as the first manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Imaging of coronary atheromatous plaques has traditionally centered on assessing the degree of luminal stenosis. The angiographic techniques that are routinely used to identify stenotic atherosclerotic lesions are unable to identify high-risk plaques; plaques prone to rupture and cause a cardiovascular event. This is partly due to the fact that the majority of culprit lesions that produce acute cardiovascular syndromes are not severely stenotic, possibly due to significant positive remodeling and reduced protective collateral circulation as well as because the risk of plaque rupture is more closely related to plaque content than plaque size. Recently, the focus of new imaging techniques is to identify the high risk plaques; the "vulnerable plaques." In this review, we will refer to the noninvasive and invasive techniques that can detect the vulnerable plaque.
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Barreto M, Schoenhagen P, Nair A, Amatangelo S, Milite M, Obuchowski NA, Lieber ML, Halliburton SS. Potential of dual-energy computed tomography to characterize atherosclerotic plaque: ex vivo assessment of human coronary arteries in comparison to histology. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2008; 2:234-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2008.05.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2008] [Revised: 05/21/2008] [Accepted: 05/24/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Multimodality imaging of atherosclerosis (magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography/positron emission tomography-computed tomography). Top Magn Reson Imaging 2008; 18:379-88. [PMID: 18025992 DOI: 10.1097/rmr.0b013e3181598db0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the field of atherosclerosis imaging with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography techniques, and highlights important publications in this area. Future directions and challenges ahead for plaque imaging are also highlighted.
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Characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries with 16-slice multidetector row computed tomography by analysis of attenuation profiles. Acad Radiol 2008; 15:222-30. [PMID: 18206621 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2007.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2007] [Revised: 09/04/2007] [Accepted: 09/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We investigated if 16-slice multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) allows correct classification of coronary plaques into calcified or noncalcified and further subclassification of noncalcified plaques into either lipid-rich with a necrotic core or fibrous. MATERIALS AND METHODS Coronary arteries of 30 isolated hearts were filled postmortem with a contrast medium and scanned with a 16-slice MDCT imager (Light Speed 16 pro, GEMS, Milwaukee, WI). Imaging parameters: collimation 16 x 0.625 mm, pitch 0.325, tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 250 mA, and gantry rotation time 500 milliseconds. The images were reformatted perpendicular to the axis of the coronary arteries (AW 4.2 software, GEMS) and analyzed by establishing attenuation profiles of the coronary cross sections (ImageJ 1.33n software, NIH, Bethesda, MD). Results were compared with the correlating histopathologic sections of the arteries. RESULTS Analysis of 195 CT cross-sections showed a sensitivity and specificity for the correct classification of calcified plaques of 100% and 97.3% and for noncalcified plaques of 80.8% and 95.1%, respectively. The attenuation of epicardial fat ranged from -119 Hounsfield units (HU) to 23 HU (median -71 HU), and from 93 HU to 625 HU (308 HU) for the contrast medium. Calcified plaques showed an attenuation between 333 HU and 1944 HU (1,089 HU), noncalcified plaques between 26 HU and 124 HU (52 HU). Further subclassification of noncalcified plaques showed attenuation values between 26 HU and 67 HU (median 44 HU) for lipid-rich plaques with a necrotic core and from 37 HU to 124 HU (median 67 HU) for fibrous plaques. CONCLUSIONS Coronary atherosclerotic plaques can be reliably identified and classified as either calcified or noncalcified by 16-slice MDCT in postmortem studies. Further differentiation of noncalcified plaques in either lipid-rich or fibrous is not reliably feasible because of substantial overlap of the attenuation.
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29
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Feasibility of 18F-fluoromethylcholine PET/CT for imaging of vessel wall alterations in humans—first results. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2008; 35:815-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-007-0685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2007] [Accepted: 12/03/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Hyafil F, Cornily JC, Feig JE, Gordon R, Vucic E, Amirbekian V, Fisher EA, Fuster V, Feldman LJ, Fayad ZA. Noninvasive detection of macrophages using a nanoparticulate contrast agent for computed tomography. Nat Med 2007; 13:636-41. [PMID: 17417649 DOI: 10.1038/nm1571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2006] [Accepted: 11/14/2006] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sudden fibrous cap disruption of 'high-risk' atherosclerotic plaques can trigger the formation of an occlusive thrombus in coronary arteries, causing acute coronary syndromes. High-risk atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by their specific cellular and biological content (in particular, a high density of macrophages), rather than by their impact on the vessel lumen. Early identification of high-risk plaques may be useful for preventing ischemic events. One major hurdle in detecting high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries is the lack of an imaging modality that allows for the identification of atherosclerotic plaque composition with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Here we show that macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits can be detected with a clinical X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner after the intravenous injection of a contrast agent formed of iodinated nanoparticles dispersed with surfactant. This contrast agent may become an important adjunct to the clinical evaluation of coronary arteries with CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Hyafil
- Sinai Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute and Imaging Science Laboratories, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA
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31
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Ibáñez B, Pinero A, Orejas M, Badimón JJ. Nuevas técnicas de imagen para la cuantificación de la carga aterosclerótica global. Rev Esp Cardiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1157/13100282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Abstract
The clinical relevance of coronary artery disease has considerably driven the recent development of radiologic tools for noninvasive cardiac imaging. Modern multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) systems combine high temporal and spatial resolution, electrocardiographic synchronization, and ease of use. In cardiac imaging, MDCT has not only replaced electron-beam CT, but also challenges competing methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, or even coronary catheterization. Noncontrast material-enhanced assessment of atherosclerotic plaques (CT calcium scoring) seems useful for the cardiac risk stratification in asymptomatic patients and monitoring of medical (statin) therapy. Contrast material-enhanced CT coronary angiography has become established as a valuable method for several clinical indications such as evaluation of coronary artery anomalies, bypass patency, or preoperative planning. Particularly, the high negative predictive value of a normal CT coronary angiogram allows reliable exclusion of coronary artery stenosis. Plaque characterization is another promising area of research in MDCT cardiac imaging. However, with current technology a reliable distinction between atheroma and fibroatheroma is impaired by restrictions in spatial resolution. Recent studies indicate that CT angiography may also be suited for other clinical applications such as triage of patients with acute coronary syndrome and inconclusive clinical presentation, patients with symptomatic chest pain, and intermediate risk profile or cardiac risk stratification in asymptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Herzog
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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33
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Choe YH. Noninvasive Detection of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques and Assessment of Stenosis Degree at Multidetector CT Coronary Angiography. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2007. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2007.50.2.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Hyeon Choe
- Department of Radiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea.
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34
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Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Evaluation of Vulnerable Plaque. CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-84628-715-2_40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung Wook Choi
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.
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Halliburton SS, Schoenhagen P, Nair A, Stillman A, Lieber M, Murat Tuzcu E, Geoffrey Vince D, White RD. Contrast enhancement of coronary atherosclerotic plaque: a high-resolution, multidetector-row computed tomography study of pressure-perfused, human ex-vivo coronary arteries. Coron Artery Dis 2006; 17:553-60. [PMID: 16905968 DOI: 10.1097/00019501-200609000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of contrast injection on atherosclerotic coronary plaque attenuation measured using multidetector-row computed tomography. BACKGROUND Recent multidetector-row computed tomography studies have described the characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque on the basis of Hounsfield unit values. The influence of contrast injection on the attenuation of individual plaque components, however, is unknown. METHODS Using a pressurized perfusion system, 10 human coronary arteries were examined postmortem with multidetector-row computed tomography and histology. Pre-enhanced, peak-enhanced, and delayed enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography images were acquired during continuous perfusion of the vessel. A total of 37 focal atherosclerotic plaques were identified. Vessel wall attenuation was measured from multidetector-row computed tomography images during all three enhancement phases. On the basis of the histology, plaques were categorized as noncalcified (predominantly fibrous or predominantly fibrofatty), mixed calcified (calcified fibrous or calcified necrotic core), or densely calcified. The mean Hounsfield unit was compared among contrast phases for all plaques and in plaque subgroups. RESULTS We observed contrast enhancement of atherosclerotic plaques within the vessel wall. For noncalcified plaques including both fibrous and fibrofatty plaques, the mean Hounsfield unit of the vessel wall during and after contrast injection exceeded the mean value before injection (t-test, P<0.002). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that intra-arterial injection of iodinated contrast agent results not only in luminal enhancement but also in atherosclerotic plaque enhancement in pressure-perfused coronary arteries imaged ex vivo. Plaque enhancement should be considered when characterizing plaque components on the basis of Hounsfield unit with multidetector-row computed tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S Halliburton
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Division of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
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Boll DT, Hoffmann MH, Huber N, Bossert AS, Aschoff AJ, Fleiter TR. Spectral Coronary Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2006; 30:804-11. [PMID: 16954934 DOI: 10.1097/01.rct.0000228162.70849.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess ex vivo specimens of atherosclerotic coronary arteries by dual energy (DE) multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging, and to correlate depicted vessel lumen morphology and detected tissue characteristics with histopathologic analysis. METHODS Coronary arteries were imaged on a 16-slice MDCT using a DE protocol consisting of a 90- and 140-kV scan. Coronary arteries were perfused with iodine- and gadolinium-based contrast agents. The DE K-edge subtractions were performed. Regions-of-interest were placed on histopathologically/radiographically-matched vascular lumen and wall, fibromuscular and calcified plaque, and fat tissues. Vascular/tissue contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated, and their dependence on tissue type and contrast agent type was statistically evaluated. RESULTS Tissue CNR analysis confirmed that all tissue types were successfully distinguished. Vascular wall and fibromuscular plaque achieved a significant increase in CNR ratios when DE techniques were used compared with 140 kV protocols. CONCLUSIONS Spectral DE MDCT imaging of ex vivo atherosclerotic coronary arteries allows successful tissue characterization and enhances depiction of coronary lumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Boll
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Ulm, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
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Ferencik M, Chan RC, Achenbach S, Lisauskas JB, Houser SL, Hoffmann U, Abbara S, Cury RC, Bouma BE, Tearney GJ, Brady TJ. Arterial wall imaging: evaluation with 16-section multidetector CT in blood vessel phantoms and ex vivo coronary arteries. Radiology 2006; 240:708-16. [PMID: 16857982 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2403051204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 16-section multidetector computed tomography (CT) for assessment of plaques in phantoms and ex vivo coronary arteries, with intravascular ultrasonography (US) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) as reference standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS Research protocol was HIPAA compliant and approved by institutional review board, without informed consent required. Blood vessel and lesion composition phantoms and ex vivo coronary arteries were imaged with 16-section CT. Wall areas of phantoms and ex vivo coronary arteries were measured with multidetector CT and intravascular US. Sensitivity and specificity for lipid detection were determined in lesion composition phantoms. CT numbers of blood vessel wall were determined in ex vivo coronary arteries and compared with lesion classification results from OCT. Agreement in dimensional measurements was compared (paired t tests). CT numbers within blood vessel wall of CT cross sections classified as lipid rich, fibrous, and calcified at OCT were compared (Kruskal-Wallis tests). RESULTS Mean blood vessel wall areas measured with CT and US in phantoms were 9.2 mm(2) +/- 1.8 (standard deviation) and 10.4 mm(2) +/- 3.4 (bias, -1.3 mm(2) +/- 3.1; P < .05), respectively. Mean blood vessel wall areas measured in ex vivo coronary arteries with CT and US were 10.9 mm(2) +/- 4.1 and 9.1 mm(2) +/- 3.1 (bias, 1.8 mm(2) +/- 3.0; P < .001), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 92%, respectively, for identification of lipid-rich lesions were observed in lesion composition phantoms. Mean CT numbers in blood vessel wall of ex vivo coronary arteries identified at OCT as predominantly lipid rich, fibrous, and calcified were 29 HU +/- 43, 101 HU +/- 21, and 135 HU +/- 199, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSION Determination of composition of individual plaques from attenuation values can be more challenging because of overlapping values for different tissue types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maros Ferencik
- Department of Radiology, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Zhang Z, Machac J, Helft G, Worthley SG, Tang C, Zaman AG, Rodriguez OJ, Buchsbaum MS, Fuster V, Badimon JJ. Non-invasive imaging of atherosclerotic plaque macrophage in a rabbit model with F-18 FDG PET: a histopathological correlation. BMC NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2006; 6:3. [PMID: 16725052 PMCID: PMC1479805 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2385-6-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2005] [Accepted: 05/25/2006] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Coronary atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications are the major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the industrialized world. Thrombosis on disrupted atherosclerotic plaques plays a key role in the onset of acute coronary syndromes. Macrophages density is one of the most critical compositions of plaque in both plaque vulnerability and thrombogenicity upon rupture. It has been shown that macrophages have a high uptake of 18F-FDG (FDG). We studied the correlation of FDG uptake with histopathological macrophage accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model. Methods Atherosclerosis was induced in rabbits (n = 6) by a combination of atherogenic diet and balloon denudation of the aorta. PET imaging was performed at baseline and 2 months after atherogenic diet and coregistered with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Normal (n = 3) rabbits served as controls. FDG uptake by the thoracic aorta was expressed as concentration (μCi/ml) and the ratio of aortic uptake-to-blood radioactivity. FDG uptake and RAM-11 antibody positive areas were analyzed in descending aorta. Results Atherosclerotic aortas showed significantly higher uptake of FDG than normal aortas. The correlation of aortic FDG uptake with macrophage areas assessed by histopathology was statistically significant although it was not high (r = 0.48, p < 0.0001). When uptake was expressed as the ratio of aortic uptake-to-blood activity, it correlated better (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001) with the macrophage areas, due to the correction for residual blood FDG activity. Conclusion PET FDG activity correlated with macrophage content within aortic atherosclerosis. This imaging approach might serve as a useful non-invasive imaging technique and potentially permit monitoring of relative changes in inflammation within the atherosclerotic lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangyu Zhang
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josef Machac
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerard Helft
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen G Worthley
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cheuk Tang
- Neuroscience PET Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Azfar G Zaman
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oswaldo J Rodriguez
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monte S Buchsbaum
- Neuroscience PET Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin Fuster
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan J Badimon
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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40
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Cordeiro MAS, Lima JAC. Atherosclerotic Plaque Characterization by Multidetector Row Computed Tomography Angiography. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006; 47:C40-7. [PMID: 16631509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2005.09.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2005] [Revised: 09/13/2005] [Accepted: 09/26/2005] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Multidetector row computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) is seen as a potential alternative to current imaging methods for the assessment of vessel anatomy and atherosclerotic plaque composition/morphology in a great variety of arterial beds. Recent advances represented by the increase in gantry speed to <500 ms per rotation and in the number of detector rows from 4 to 64, in addition to the decrease in slice thickness to submillimetric levels, brought significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy by coronary MDCTA. In general, it has a good correlation with both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histopathology for discrimination between soft, intermediate, and calcified plaques. Plaque area and volume tend to be underestimated by 12-detector row MDCTA and overestimated by 16-detector row MDCTA, but the number of patients studied so far is relatively small. However, it seems that 64-detector row MDCTA can measure plaque area and volume with greater accuracy. Plaque remodeling is overestimated in small vessels by 12-detector row MDCTA, whereas 16- and 64-detector row MDCTA show a good correlation with IVUS. Although still under development, the potential of MDCTA to characterize atherosclerotic plaque composition as well as to precisely determine plaque area, volume, and remodeling in the future is quite promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A S Cordeiro
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Lesser JR, Flygenring B, Knickelbine T, Hara H, Henry J, Kalil A, Pelak K, Lindberg J, Pelzel J, Schwartz RS. Clinical utility of coronary CT angiography: Coronary stenosis detection and prognosis in ambulatory patients. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2006; 69:64-72. [PMID: 17139675 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.20904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multislice CT coronary angiography (MSCTA) accurately detects stenosis in patients undergoing coronary arteriography, but its accuracy in clinical outpatients is less certain. This study retrospectively analyzed MSCTA performance in a large outpatient cohort and examined 6-month clinical follow-up in those without invasive CA. METHODS Patients underwent MSCTA for clinical indications including symptoms or noninvasive results being either equivocal or suspected as incorrect by referring clinicians. Standard 16-slice CT scanner techniques were used, and results were analyzed on the basis of both patient and vessel. Patients were treated medically or sent to invasive angiography on the basis of MSCTA results and judgment of referring clinicians. All invasive angiograms were analyzed using quantitative coronary angiography. Six-month clinical follow-up was determined in patients without CA. RESULTS One thousand fifty-three consecutive patients were referred for MSCTA, resulting in 994 interpretable scans. Mean age was 58+/-13 years, 55% were male, 50% had prior noninvasive testing, and 90% had symptoms. Invasive angiography was performed in 160 patients, with significant stenoses present in 69%. MSCTA demonstrated 87% and 89% accuracy by patient- and vessel-based analysis, respectively, and was most accurate in the left main and right coronary arteries. Only two patients not referred for angiography had significant stenosis in those undergoing 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS MSCTA accurately detects obstructive coronary stenosis in clinical patients with possible cardiac symptoms, and effectively triages them for invasive angiography. Negative results are highly accurate in ruling out obstructive disease. Six-month prognosis is excellent in patients without significant disease determined by MSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Lesser
- Minneapolis Heart Institute and Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407, USA
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Tsujikawa T, Nomura M, Nakayasu K, Kawano T, Nakaya Y, Ito S, Nishitani H. Risk factors associated with soft coronary artery plaques in Japanese, as determined by 16 slice multidetector-row computed tomography. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INVESTIGATION 2006; 53:310-6. [PMID: 16953070 DOI: 10.2152/jmi.53.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The acute coronary syndrome is often caused by the rupture of plaques and thrombus formation even without significant stenosis, and patients with soft plaques, but without significant stenosis evidenced by coronary angiography (CAG), often develop an acute coronary syndrome. To address this discrepancy, a qualitative diagnosis of coronary plaques using a 16 slice multidetector-row CT was conducted. METHODS AND RESULTS Volume rendering and cross-sectional MPR images were obtained. Based on the CT values, plaques on the coronary artery wall were classified as lipid-rich soft plaques (CT value<50 HU) and non-soft plaques (>50 HU).A significant correlation was observed between the percent stenosis determined in cross-sectional MPR images and those determined by CAG (r=+0.92, p<0.01). Diffuse plaques with CT values of less than 50 HU often caused stenosis at level of 75% or less, which were not indicated by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS Although diffuse soft plaques with CT values less than 50 HU are not an indication of intervention, a risk of an acute coronary syndrome exists, due to rupture. These soft plaques must be stabilized by treatment even when they do not cause significant stenosis, and MDCT is considered to be useful for their evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Tsujikawa
- Department of Radiology, The University of Tokushima Graduate School
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Matter CM, Wyss MT, Meier P, Späth N, von Lukowicz T, Lohmann C, Weber B, Ramirez de Molina A, Lacal JC, Ametamey SM, von Schulthess GK, Lüscher TF, Kaufmann PA, Buck A. 18F-choline images murine atherosclerotic plaques ex vivo. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2005; 26:584-9. [PMID: 16357314 DOI: 10.1161/01.atv.0000200106.34016.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current imaging modalities of atherosclerosis mainly visualize plaque morphology. Valuable insight into plaque biology was achieved by visualizing enhanced metabolism in plaque-derived macrophages using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). Similarly, enhanced uptake of 18F-fluorocholine (18F-FCH) was associated with macrophages surrounding an abscess. As macrophages are important determinants of plaque vulnerability, we tested 18F-FCH for plaque imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS We injected 18F-FCH (n=5) or 18F-FDG (n=5) intravenously into atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. En face measurements of aortae isolated 20 minutes after 18F-FCH injections demonstrated an excellent correlation between fat stainings and autoradiographies (r=0.842, P<0.0001), achieving a sensitivity of 84% to detect plaques by 18F-FCH. In contrast, radiotracer uptake 20 minutes after 18F-FDG injections correlated less with en face fat stainings (r=0.261, P<0.05), reaching a sensitivity of 64%. Histological analyses of cross-sections 20 minutes after coinjections of 18F-FCH and 14C-FDG (n=3) showed that 18F-FCH uptake correlated better with fat staining (r=0.740, P<0.0001) and macrophage-positive areas (r=0.740, P<0.0001) than 14C-FDG (fat: r=0.236, P=0.29 and CD68 staining: r=0.352, P=0.11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS 18F-FCH identifies murine plaques better than 18F-FDG using ex vivo imaging. Enhanced 18F-FCH uptake into macrophages may render this tracer a promising candidate for imaging plaques in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Matter
- Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Cardiovascular Center, Switzerland.
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Abstract
The concept of vulnerable plaque is well established with increasing evidence from clinical and basic research. The paradigm has shifted from focusing exclusively on the hemodynamic effects of plaque (ie, resulting lumenal stenosis alone as a predictor of stroke risk) to assessment of the structure and composition of plaque (eg, denuded endothelium with inflammatory elements as a nidus for platelet-fibrin clumping). It is increasingly evident that methods to detect and characterize vulnerable plaque must be developed and optimized. Although MR imaging, CT, and ultrasound provide data regarding single lesions, future investigations relying heavily on nuclear medicine techniques may offer functional assessment of the entire cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Chen
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Ray T, Biederman RW, Doyle M, Mankad S. Magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of coronary artery disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2005; 7:108-14. [PMID: 15727725 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-005-0032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gaining importance in cardiology as the noninvasive test of choice for patients with a multitude of cardiovascular problems. Recently, cardiovascular MRI has emerged as an important noninvasive diagnostic modality in the assessment of coronary artery disease. Because of its superior spatial resolution, integration of qualitative and quantitative methodology, and excellent reproducibility, MRI has advantages over conventional noninvasive modalities currently used in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. This article reviews the rapidly expanding recent literature that has now established cardiovascular MRI as an ideal choice in the evaluation of myocardial ischemia (including dobutamine cine MRI and vasodilator perfusion MRI techniques). We further discuss the role of delayed contrast-enhanced MRI and low-dose dobutamine cine MRI for evaluation of myocardial viability. Comparisons with more established techniques, such as dobutamine stress echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion imaging, and positron emission tomography, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarang Ray
- Allegheny General Hospital, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, USA
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