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Schneider MK, Wang J, Kare A, Adkar SS, Salmi D, Bell CF, Alsaigh T, Wagh D, Coller J, Mayer A, Snyder SJ, Borowsky AD, Long SR, Lansberg MG, Steinberg GK, Heit JJ, Leeper NJ, Ferrara KW. Combined near infrared photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound detects vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122314. [PMID: 37776766 PMCID: PMC10872807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process resulting in the deposition of cholesterol and cellular debris, narrowing of the vessel lumen and clot formation. Characterization of the morphology and vulnerability of the lesion is essential for effective clinical management. Here, near-infrared auto-photoacoustic (NIRAPA) imaging is shown to detect plaque components and, when combined with ultrasound imaging, to differentiate stable and vulnerable plaque. In an ex vivo study of photoacoustic imaging of excised plaque from 25 patients, 88.2% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity were achieved using a clinically-relevant protocol. In order to determine the origin of the NIRAPA signal, immunohistochemistry, spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics were co-registered with imaging and applied to adjacent plaque sections. The highest NIRAPA signal was spatially correlated with bilirubin and associated blood-based residue and with the cytoplasmic contents of inflammatory macrophages bearing CD74, HLA-DR, CD14 and CD163 markers. In summary, we establish the potential to apply the NIRAPA-ultrasound imaging combination to detect vulnerable carotid plaque and a methodology for fusing molecular imaging with spatial transcriptomic and proteomic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Karl Schneider
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford and Bio-X Program, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - James Wang
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford and Bio-X Program, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aris Kare
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford and Bio-X Program, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shaunak S Adkar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Darren Salmi
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Caitlin F Bell
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tom Alsaigh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dhananjay Wagh
- Sequencing Group Stanford Genomics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - John Coller
- Sequencing Group Stanford Genomics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Sarah J Snyder
- Department of Radiology and Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alexander D Borowsky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Steven R Long
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Maarten G Lansberg
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gary K Steinberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeremy J Heit
- Department of Radiology and Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicholas J Leeper
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katherine W Ferrara
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford and Bio-X Program, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA.
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Shao S, Shi H, Wang G, Li R, Sun Q, Yao B, Watase H, Hippe DS, Yuan C, Zhao X. Differences in left and right carotid plaque vulnerability in patients with bilateral carotid plaques: a CARE-II study. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2023; 8:284-291. [PMID: 36596656 PMCID: PMC10512039 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2022-001937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atherosclerosis is a very complex process influenced by various systemic and local factors. Therefore, in patients with bilateral carotid plaques (BCPs), there may be differences in carotid plaque vulnerability between the sides. We aimed to investigate the differences in BCP characteristics in patients with BCPs using magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI). METHODS Participants with BCPs were selected for subanalysis from a multicentre study of Chinese Atherosclerosis Risk Evaluation II. We measured carotid plaque burden, identified each plaque component and measured their volume or area bilaterally on MR-VWI. Paired comparisons of the burden and components of BCPs were performed. RESULTS In all, 540 patients with BCPs were eligible for analysis. Compared with the right carotid artery (CA), larger mean lumen area (p<0.001), larger mean wall area (p=0.025), larger mean total vessel area (p<0.001) and smaller normalised wall index (p=0.006) were found in the left CA. Regarding plaque components, only the prevalence of lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) in the left CA was higher (p=0.026). For patients with a vulnerable plaque component coexisting on both sides, only the intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) volume (p=0.011) was significantly greater in the left CA than in the right CA. CONCLUSIONS There were asymmetries in plaque growth and evolution between BCPs. The left carotid plaques were more likely to have larger plaque burden, higher prevalence of LRNC and greater IPH volume, which may contribute to the lateralisation of ischaemic stroke in the cerebral hemispheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Shao
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Honglu Shi
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Guangbin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rui Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qinjian Sun
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Yao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hiroko Watase
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel S Hippe
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
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Schneider MK, Wang J, Kare A, Adkar SS, Salmi D, Bell CF, Alsaigh T, Wagh D, Coller J, Mayer A, Snyder SJ, Borowsky AD, Long SR, Lansberg MG, Steinberg GK, Heit JJ, Leeper NJ, Ferrara KW. Combined near infrared photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound detects vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.06.11.23291099. [PMID: 37398016 PMCID: PMC10312879 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.11.23291099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process resulting in the deposition of cholesterol and cellular debris, narrowing of the vessel lumen and clot formation. Characterization of the morphology and vulnerability of the lesion is essential for effective clinical management. Photoacoustic imaging has sufficient penetration and sensitivity to map and characterize human atherosclerotic plaque. Here, near infrared photoacoustic imaging is shown to detect plaque components and, when combined with ultrasound imaging, to differentiate stable and vulnerable plaque. In an ex vivo study of photoacoustic imaging of excised plaque from 25 patients, 88.2% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity were achieved using a clinically-relevant protocol. In order to determine the origin of the near-infrared auto-photoacoustic (NIRAPA) signal, immunohistochemistry, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics were applied to adjacent sections of the plaque. The highest NIRAPA signal was spatially correlated with bilirubin and associated blood-based residue and inflammatory macrophages bearing CD74, HLA-DR, CD14 and CD163 markers. In summary, we establish the potential to apply the NIRAPA-ultrasound imaging combination to detect vulnerable carotid plaque.
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Zhang L, Li X, Lyu Q, Shi G. Imaging diagnosis and research progress of carotid plaque vulnerability. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2022; 50:905-912. [PMID: 35801515 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) exhibits a high disability rate, mortality, and recurrence rate, imposing a serious threat to human survival and health. Its occurrence is affected by various factors. Although the previous research has demonstrated that the occurrence of IS is mainly associated with lumen stenosis caused by carotid atherosclerotic plaque (AP), recent studies have revealed that many patients will still suffer from IS even with mild carotid artery lumen stenosis. Blood supply disturbance causes 10% of IS to the corresponding cerebral blood supply area caused by carotid vulnerable plaque. Thrombus blockage of distal branch vessels caused by rupture of vulnerable carotid plaque is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Therefore, how to accurately evaluate vulnerable plaque and intervene as soon as possible is a problem that needs to be solved in clinic. The vulnerability of plaque is determined by its internal components, including thin and incomplete fibrous cap, necrotic lipid core, intra-plaque hemorrhage, intra-plaque neovascularization, and ulcerative plaque formation. The development of imaging technology enables the routine detection of AP vulnerability. By analyzing the pathological changes, characteristics, and formation mechanism of carotid plaque vulnerability, this article aims to explore the modern imaging methods which can be used to identify plaque composition and plaque vulnerability to provide a reference basis for disease diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Zhang
- Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First peolie's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Lyu
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Guofu Shi
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
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Zhang L, Lyu Q, Ding Y, Hu C, Hui P. Texture Analysis Based on Vascular Ultrasound to Identify the Vulnerable Carotid Plaques. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:885209. [PMID: 35720730 PMCID: PMC9204477 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.885209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulnerable carotid plaques are closely related to the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Therefore, accurate and rapid identification of the nature of carotid plaques is essential. This study aimed to determine whether texture analysis based on a vascular ultrasound can be applied to identify vulnerable plaques. Data from a total of 150 patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic plaque (AP) by carotid ultrasound (CDU) and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) were collected. HRMRI is the in vivo reference to assess the nature of AP. MaZda software was used to delineate the region of interest and extract 303 texture features from ultrasonic images of plaques. Following regression analysis using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, the overall cohort was randomized 7:3 into the training (n = 105) and testing (n = 45) sets. In the training set, the conventional ultrasound model, the texture feature model, and the conventional ultrasound-texture feature combined model were constructed. The testing set was used to validate the model’s effectiveness by calculating the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Based on the combined model, a nomogram risk prediction model was established, and the consistency index (C-index) and the calibration curve were obtained. In the training and testing sets, the AUC of the prediction performance of the conventional ultrasonic-texture feature combined model was higher than that of the conventional ultrasonic model and the texture feature model. In the training set, the AUC of the combined model was 0.88, while in the testing set, AUC was 0.87. In addition, the C-index results were also favorable (0.89 in the training set and 0.84 in the testing set). Furthermore, the calibration curve was close to the ideal curve, indicating the accuracy of the nomogram. This study proves the performance of vascular ultrasound-based texture analysis in identifying the vulnerable carotid plaques. Texture feature extraction combined with CDU sonogram features can accurately predict the vulnerability of AP.
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Huang Z, Cheng XQ, Liu HY, Bi XJ, Liu YN, Lv WZ, Xiong L, Deng YB. Relation of Carotid Plaque Features Detected with Ultrasonography-Based Radiomics to Clinical Symptoms. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 13:970-982. [PMID: 34741749 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-021-00963-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Carotid plaque is one of the predominant causes of stroke. We sought to build a nomogram using ultrasonography (US)-based radiomics and clinical features for identification of symptomatic carotid plaques. We prospectively enrolled 548 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 63 ± 10 years; 373 men) were randomly divided into training and test cohorts. Clinical and conventional US features of carotid plaques were used to generate a clinical and conventional US model. US-based radiomics model was constructed by extracting radiomics features from grayscale and strain elasticity images. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using the radiomics scores together with clinical and conventional US data, and a final nomogram was subsequently developed. The performance of the final nomogram was assessed with respect to discrimination and clinical usefulness in the training of the test cohorts and contrast-enhanced US test cohort. All the radiomics scores were significantly higher in patients with symptomatic carotid plaques. The US-based radiomics model [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.930 and 0.922 for training and test cohorts, respectively] and final nomogram (AUC = 0.927 and 0.919, respectively) outperformed the clinical and conventional US model (AUC = 0.723 and 0.580, respectively). The decision curve analysis indicated that the final nomogram was clinically useful. In patients undergoing the contrast-enhanced US, the prevalence of plaque enhancement was higher in high-risk patients than in low-risk patients based on the final nomogram-score (P = 0.008). Nomogram has a high diagnostic performance for identification of symptomatic carotid plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Huang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xue-Qing Cheng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong-Yun Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Bi
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ya-Ni Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wen-Zhi Lv
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Julei Technology Company, 13 Daxueyuan Road, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Li Xiong
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, 169 East Lake Road, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - You-Bin Deng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Dadao, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Migdalski A, Jawien A. New insight into biology, molecular diagnostics and treatment options of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaque: a narrative review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1207. [PMID: 34430648 PMCID: PMC8350668 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-7197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Indications for intervention in hemodynamically relevant carotid artery stenosis (carotid endarterectomy or stenting) are primarily based on a degree of stenosis and symptomatology. To date the plaque vulnerability is rarely taken into account in clinical decision making although development of molecular imaging allows a better understanding of plaque biology and provides new techniques detecting potentially vulnerable plaque at risk. A significant number of reports describing the mechanisms of unstable plaque formation suggest that it is a multifactorial process. Inflammation, lipid accumulation, apoptosis, proteolysis, the thrombotic process and angiogenesis are among the main factors of carotid plaque destabilization. Although inflammation is a key process in development of plaque vulnerability, the hemostasis and neoangiogenesis should be regarded as equally important. Only a small group of asymptomatic patients may benefit from the invasive treatment and it remains a challenge to determine whether initially asymptomatic carotid plaque become unstable or vulnerable. Currently, the main task of research on atherosclerotic lesion imaging is focused on functional state of the plaque. The presence of one or more features such as stenosis progression, large plaque area, large juxta-luminal black area, plaque echolucency, intra-plaque hemorrhage, impaired cerebral vascular reserve and spontaneous embolization may indicate patients at higher risk for stroke suitable for revascularization. Treatment of carotid stenosis as one of the manifestations of generalized atherosclerosis requires a broad approach. Nowadays pharmacological treatment options for the atherosclerotic process are largely aimed at stimulating the plaque stabilization, but in symptomatic patients and selected asymptomatic patients, carotid plaque should be removed as a potential source of embolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Migdalski
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Jawien
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
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Xin R, Yang D, Xu H, Han H, Li J, Miao Y, Du Z, Ding Q, Deng S, Ning Z, Shen R, Li R, Li C, Yuan C, Zhao X. Comparing Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Patients With Bilateral Carotid Vulnerable Plaques Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Angiology 2021; 73:104-111. [PMID: 34018407 DOI: 10.1177/00033197211012531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We compared plaque characteristics between symptomatic and asymptomatic sides in patients with bilateral carotid vulnerable plaques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants (n = 67; mean age: 65.8 ± 7.7 years, 61 males) with bilateral carotid vulnerable plaques were included. Vulnerable plaques were characterized by intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), large lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), or fibrous cap rupture (FCR) on MRI. Symptomatic vulnerable plaques showed greater plaque burden, LRNC volume (median: 221.4 vs 134.8 mm3, P = .003), IPH volume (median: 32.2 vs 22.5 mm3, P = .030), maximum percentage (Max%) LRNC (median: 51.3% vs 41.8%, P = .002), Max%IPH (median: 13.4% vs 9.5%, P = .022), cumulative slices of LRNC (median: 10 vs 8, P = .005), and more juxtaluminal IPH and/or thrombus (29.9% vs 6.0%, P = .001) and FCR (37.3% vs 16.4%, P = .007) than asymptomatic ones. After adjusting for plaque burden, differences in juxtaluminal IPH and/or thrombus (odds ratio [OR]: 5.49, 95% CI: 1.61-18.75, P = .007) and FCR (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.16-7.24, P = .022) between bilateral sides remained statistically significant. For patients with bilateral carotid vulnerable plaques, symptomatic plaques had greater burden, more juxtaluminal IPH and/or thrombus, and FCR compared with asymptomatic ones. The differences in juxtaluminal IPH and/or thrombus and FCR between bilateral sides were independent of plaque burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijing Xin
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dandan Yang
- Center for Brain Disorders Research, Capital Medical University and Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hualu Han
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyu Miao
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziwei Du
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Ding
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shasha Deng
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zihan Ning
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Shen
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 118223Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
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Varasteh Z, De Rose F, Mohanta S, Li Y, Zhang X, Miritsch B, Scafetta G, Yin C, Sager HB, Glasl S, Gorpas D, Habenicht AJ, Ntziachristos V, Weber WA, Bartolazzi A, Schwaiger M, D'Alessandria C. Imaging atherosclerotic plaques by targeting Galectin-3 and activated macrophages using ( 89Zr)-DFO- Galectin3-F(ab') 2 mAb. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1864-1876. [PMID: 33408786 PMCID: PMC7778602 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The high expression of Galectin-3 (Gal3) in macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques suggests its participation in atherosclerosis pathogenesis, and raises the possibility to use it as a target to image disease severity in vivo. Here, we explored the feasibility of tracking atherosclerosis by targeting Gal3 expression in plaques of apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-KO) mice via PET imaging. Methods: Targeting of Gal3 in M0-, M1- and M2 (M2a/M2c)-polarized macrophages was assessed in vitro using a Gal3-F(ab')2 mAb labeled with AlexaFluor®488 and 89Zr- desferrioxamine-thioureyl-phenyl-isothiocyanate (DFO). To visualize plaques in vivo, ApoE-KO mice were injected i.v. with 89Zr-DFO-Gal3-F(ab')2 mAb and imaged via PET/CT 48 h post injection. Whole length aortas harvested from euthanized mice were processed for Sudan-IV staining, autoradiography, and immunostaining for Gal3, CD68 and α-SMA expression. To confirm accumulation of the tracer in plaques, ApoE-KO mice were injected i.v. with Cy5.5-Gal3-F(ab')2 mAb, euthanized 48 h post injection, followed by cryosections of the body and acquisition of fluorescent images. To explore the clinical potential of this imaging modality, immunostaining for Gal3, CD68 and α-SMA expression were carried out in human plaques. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) analyses were performed to measure LGALS3 (i.e. a synonym for Gal3) gene expression in each macrophage of several subtypes present in murine or human plaques. Results: Preferential binding to M2 macrophages was observed with both AlexaFluor®488-Gal3-F(ab')2 and 89Zr-DFO-Gal3-F(ab')2 mAbs. Focal and specific 89Zr-DFO-Gal3-F(ab')2 mAb uptake was detected in plaques of ApoE-KO mice by PET/CT. Autoradiography and immunohistochemical analyses of aortas confirmed the expression of Gal3 within plaques mainly in macrophages. Moreover, a specific fluorescent signal was visualized within the lesions of vascular structures burdened by plaques in mice. Gal3 expression in human plaques showed similar Gal3 expression patterns when compared to their murine counterparts. Conclusions: Our data reveal that 89Zr-DFO-Gal3-F(ab')2 mAb PET/CT is a potentially novel tool to image atherosclerotic plaques at different stages of development, allowing knowledge-based tailored individual intervention in clinically significant disease.
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Di Napoli A, Cheng SF, Gregson J, Atkinson D, Markus JE, Richards T, Brown MM, Sokolska M, Jäger HR. Arterial Spin Labeling MRI in Carotid Stenosis: Arterial Transit Artifacts May Predict Symptoms. Radiology 2020; 297:652-660. [PMID: 33048034 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2020200225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundStenosis of the internal carotid artery has a higher risk for stroke. Many investigations have focused on structure and plaque composition as signs of plaque vulnerability, but few studies have analyzed hemodynamic changes in the brain as a risk factor.PurposeTo use 3-T MRI methods including contrast material-enhanced MR angiography, carotid plaque imaging, and arterial spin labeling (ASL) to identify imaging parameters that best help distinguish between asymptomatic and symptomatic participants with carotid stenosis.Materials and MethodsParticipants with carotid stenosis from two ongoing prospective studies who underwent ASL and carotid plaque imaging with use of 3-T MRI in the same setting from 2014 to 2018 were studied. Participants were assessed clinically for recent symptoms (transient ischemic attack or stroke) and divided equally into symptomatic and nonsymptomatic groups. Reviewers were blinded to the symptomatic status and MRI scans were analyzed for the degree of stenosis, plaque surface structure, presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), circle of Willis collaterals, and the presence and severity of arterial transit artifacts (ATAs) at ASL imaging. MRI findings were correlated with symptomatic status by using t tests and the Fisher exact test.ResultsA total of 44 participants (mean age, 71 years ± 10 [standard deviation]; 31 men) were evaluated. ATAs were seen only in participants with greater than 70% stenosis (16 of 28 patients; P < .001) and were associated with absence of anterior communicating artery (13 of 16 patients; P = .003). There was no association between history of symptoms and degree of stenosis (27 patients with ≥70% stenosis and 17 patients with <70%; P = .54), IPH (12 patients with IPH and 32 patients without IPH; P = .31), and plaque surface structure (17 patients with irregular or ulcerated plaque and 27 with smooth plaque; P = .54). Participants with ATAs (n = 16) were more likely to be symptomatic than were those without ATAs (n = 28) (P = .004). Symptomatic status also was associated with the severity of ATAs (P = .002).ConclusionArterial transit artifacts were the only factor associated with recent ischemic symptoms in participants with carotid stenosis. The degree of stenosis, plaque ulceration, and intraplaque hemorrhage were not associated with symptomatic status.© RSNA, 2020Online supplemental material is available for this article.See also the editorial by Zaharchuk in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Di Napoli
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Suk Fun Cheng
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - John Gregson
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - David Atkinson
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Julia Emily Markus
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Toby Richards
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Martin M Brown
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Magdalena Sokolska
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
| | - Hans Rolf Jäger
- From the Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, K 23 Queen Square, Holborn, London WC1N 3BG, England (A.D.N., H.R.J.); NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (A.D.N.); Division of Surgery and Interventional Science (S.F.C., T.R., H.R.J.), Centre of Medical Imaging (D.A., J.E.M.), Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (M.M.B.), and Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (H.R.J.), University College London, London, England; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England (J.G.); Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia (T.R.); and Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, England (M.S.)
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11
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Imaging Features of Vulnerable Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque and the Associated Clinical Implications. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11936-020-00821-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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12
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Velz J, Esposito G, Wegener S, Kulcsar Z, Luft A, Regli L. [Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Carotid Artery Disease]. PRAXIS 2020; 109:705-723. [PMID: 32635848 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Carotid Artery Disease Abstract. A quarter of all ischemic strokes is caused by atherosclerotic obliterations of the extra- and intracranial brain-supplying vessels. The prevalence of atherosclerotic extracranial carotid stenosis rises up to 6-15 % from the age of 65. The risk of stroke in symptomatic carotid stenosis, i.e. after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is very high at 25 % within 14 days. Conservative therapy is the cornerstone of treatment by controlling the risk factors, treatment with platelet aggregation inhibitors and antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medication. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the first line treatment for symptomatic patients with a >50 % and asymptomatic patients with a >60 % carotid stenosis. In order to ensure the best possible treatment of patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid stenosis, interdisciplinary cooperation in diagnostics, therapy and aftercare in a neuromedical centre of maximum care is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velz
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
- Universität Zürich
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
- Universität Zürich
| | - Susanne Wegener
- Universität Zürich
- Klinik für Neurologie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
| | - Zsolt Kulcsar
- Universität Zürich
- Klinik für Neuroradiologie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
| | - Andreas Luft
- Universität Zürich
- Klinik für Neurologie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
- Cereneo Zentrum für Neurologie und Rehabilitation, Vitznau
| | - Luca Regli
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinisches Neurozentrum, Universitätsspital Zürich
- Universität Zürich
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13
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Sui B, Gao P. High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging of carotid and intracranial vessels. Acta Radiol 2019; 60:1329-1340. [PMID: 30727746 DOI: 10.1177/0284185119826538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Sui
- Radiology Department, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Radiology Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, PR China
| | - Peiyi Gao
- Radiology Department, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Radiology Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, PR China
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14
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Saba L, Saam T, Jäger HR, Yuan C, Hatsukami TS, Saloner D, Wasserman BA, Bonati LH, Wintermark M. Imaging biomarkers of vulnerable carotid plaques for stroke risk prediction and their potential clinical implications. Lancet Neurol 2019; 18:559-572. [PMID: 30954372 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30035-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Stroke represents a massive public health problem. Carotid atherosclerosis plays a fundamental part in the occurence of ischaemic stroke. European and US guidelines for prevention of stroke in patients with carotid plaques are based on quantification of the percentage reduction in luminal diameter due to the atherosclerotic process to select the best therapeutic approach. However, better strategies for prevention of stroke are needed because some subtypes of carotid plaques (eg, vulnerable plaques) can predict the occurrence of stroke independent of the degree of stenosis. Advances in imaging techniques have enabled routine characterisation and detection of the features of carotid plaque vulnerability. Intraplaque haemorrhage is accepted by neurologists and radiologists as one of the features of vulnerable plaques, but other characteristics-eg, plaque volume, neovascularisation, and inflammation-are promising as biomarkers of carotid plaque vulnerability. These biomarkers could change current management strategies based merely on the degree of stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Saba
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Tobias Saam
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Radiologisches Zentrum Rosenheim, Rosenheim, Germany
| | - H Rolf Jäger
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - David Saloner
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce A Wasserman
- The Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leo H Bonati
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Max Wintermark
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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15
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Sun B, Li X, Liu X, Ge X, Lu Q, Zhao X, Pu J, Xu J, Zhao H. Association between carotid plaque characteristics and acute cerebral infarction determined by MRI in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2017; 16:111. [PMID: 28893252 PMCID: PMC5594451 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-017-0592-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) might aggravate the carotid plaque vulnerability, and increase the risk for ischemic stroke. Few studies reported the acute stroke subtype with carotid plaque characteristics in T2DM patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between carotid plaque characteristics and acute cerebral infarct (ACI) lesion features determined by MRI in T2DM patients. METHODS Patients with acute cerebrovascular syndrome in internal carotid artery territory were recruited. All patients were stratified into T2DM and non-T2DM groups and underwent both carotid and brain MRI scans. Ipsilateral carotid plaque morphological and compositional characteristics, intracranial and extracranial carotid artery stenosis were also determined. Stroke subtype based on the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification and ACI lesion patterns were evaluated. RESULTS Of the recruited 140 patients, 68 (48.6%) patients had T2DM (mean age 64.16 ± 11.38 years, 40 males). T2DM patients exhibited higher prevalence of carotid type IV-VI lesions, larger plaque burden as well as larger lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) compared with non-T2DM patients. Among the patients with carotid LRNC on symptomatic side, more concomitant large perforating artery infarct patterns and larger ACI size in the internal carotid artery territory were found in T2DM group than those in non-T2DM group. Carotid plaque with LRNC% > 22.0% was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of ACI lesions confined to the carotid territory in T2DM patients, regardless of other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that more concomitant large perforating artery infarct patterns and larger ACI size in the internal carotid artery territory were found in the T2DM patients with ipsilateral carotid LRNC plaque than those in non-T2DM patients. Quantification of the carotid plaque characteristics, particularly the LRNC% by MRI has the potential usefulness for stroke risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Sun
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaosheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaoqian Ge
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Lu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianrong Xu
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Huilin Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Three-dimensional black-blood T 2 mapping with compressed sensing and data-driven parallel imaging in the carotid artery. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 37:62-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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17
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Dai Y, Lv P, Lin J, Luo R, Liu H, Ji A, Liu H, Fu C. Comparison study between multicontrast atherosclerosis characterization (MATCH) and conventional multicontrast MRI of carotid plaque with histology validation. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 45:764-770. [PMID: 27556726 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare Multicontrast ATherosclerosis Characterization (MATCH) with conventional multicontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the characterization and quantification of carotid plaque components. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-three consecutive patients underwent carotid plaque 3.0T MRI including conventional multicontrast sequences and MATCH, with 13 of them having carotid endarterectomy for histology validation. The detection of major plaque components including lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), loose matrix (LM), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and calcification (CA) and measurement of lumen area, outer wall area, normalized wall index (NWI), and plaque components areas were compared between the two protocols. RESULTS Plaque analysis and comparison were done on 298 matched cross-sectional MRI. MATCH detected significantly more calcifications than conventional consequences (P < 0.01). The difference in detection of IPH (P = 0.07) and LRNC (P = 0.10) approached significance. There was no significant difference in demonstration of LM (P =0.52). A larger area of IPH and CA was measured on MATCH (P < 0.01). The difference nearly reached significance between the two protocols in measuring lumen area (P = 0.09) and outer wall area (P = 0.08). No significant difference was found when measuring the mean area of LRNC (P = 0.15) and LM (P = 0.14) and NWI (P = 0.38). By using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the accuracy of MATCH and conventional protocols did not differ significantly in the detection of IPH (P = 0.15), LRNC (P = 0.61), LM (P = 0.48), and CA (P = 0.11) when histology served as a reference. CONCLUSION MATCH was comparable if not superior to conventional protocol in identification and quantification of major carotid plaque components. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:764-770.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Dai
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Lv
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Lin
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongkui Luo
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Aihua Ji
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Shanghai, China
| | - Caixia Fu
- Siemens Shenzhen Magnetic Resonance Ltd, Shenzhen, China
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18
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Saam T, Habs M, Buchholz M, Schindler A, Bayer-Karpinska A, Cyran CC, Yuan C, Reiser M, Helck A. Expansive arterial remodeling of the carotid arteries and its effect on atherosclerotic plaque composition and vulnerability: an in-vivo black-blood 3T CMR study in symptomatic stroke patients. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2016; 18:11. [PMID: 26940800 PMCID: PMC4778304 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-016-0229-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on intravascular ultrasound of the coronary arteries expansive arterial remodeling is supposed to be a feature of the vulnerable atheroslerotic plaque. However, till now little is known regarding the clinical impact of expansive remodeling of carotid lesions. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the correlation of expansive arterial remodeling of the carotid arteries with atherosclerotic plaque composition and vulnerability using in-vivo Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR). METHODS One hundred eleven symptomatic patients (74 male/71.8 ± 10.3y) with acute unilateral ischemic stroke and carotid plaques of at least 2 mm thickness were included. All patients received a dedicated multi-sequence black-blood carotid CMR (3Tesla) of the proximal internal carotid arteries (ICA). Measurements of lumen, wall, outer wall, hemorrhage, calcification and necrotic core were determined. Each vessel-segment was classified according to American Heart Association (AHA) criteria for vulnerable plaque. A modified remodeling index (mRI) was established by dividing the average outer vessel area of the ICA segments by the lumen area measured on TOF images in a not affected reference segment at the distal ipsilateral ICA. Correlations of mRI and clinical symptoms as well as plaque morphology/vessel dimensions were evaluated. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent (157/202) of all internal carotid arteries showed atherosclerotic disease with AHA Lesion-Type (LT) III or higher. The mRI of the ICA was significantly different in normal artery segments (AHA LT I; mRI 1.9) compared to atherosclerotic segments (AHA LT III-VII; mRI 2.5; p < 0.0001). Between AHA LT III-VII there was no significant difference of mRI. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) of the mRI with lumen-area (LA), wall-area (WA), vessel-area (VA) and wall-thickness (WT), necrotic-core area (NC), and ulcer-area were observed. With respect to clinical presentation (symptomatic/asymptomatic side) and luminal narrowing (stenotic/non-stenotic) no relevant correlations or significant differences regarding the mRI were found. CONCLUSION Expansive arterial remodeling exists in the ICA. However, no significant association between expansive arterial remodeling, stroke symptoms, complicated AHA VI plaque, and luminal stenosis could be established. Hence, results of our study suggest that expansive arterial remodeling is not a very practical marker for plaque vulnerability in the carotid arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Saam
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Habs
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
| | - Martin Buchholz
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Andreas Schindler
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Anna Bayer-Karpinska
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
| | - Clemens C Cyran
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Maximilian Reiser
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Andreas Helck
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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19
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Pennell DJ, Baksi AJ, Prasad SK, Raphael CE, Kilner PJ, Mohiaddin RH, Alpendurada F, Babu-Narayan SV, Schneider J, Firmin DN. Review of Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2014. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2015; 17:99. [PMID: 26589839 PMCID: PMC4654908 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-015-0203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There were 102 articles published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) in 2014, which is a 6% decrease on the 109 articles published in 2013. The quality of the submissions continues to increase. The 2013 JCMR Impact Factor (which is published in June 2014) fell to 4.72 from 5.11 for 2012 (as published in June 2013). The 2013 impact factor means that the JCMR papers that were published in 2011 and 2012 were cited on average 4.72 times in 2013. The impact factor undergoes natural variation according to citation rates of papers in the 2 years following publication, and is significantly influenced by highly cited papers such as official reports. However, the progress of the journal's impact over the last 5 years has been impressive. Our acceptance rate is <25% and has been falling because the number of articles being submitted has been increasing. In accordance with Open-Access publishing, the JCMR articles go on-line as they are accepted with no collating of the articles into sections or special thematic issues. For this reason, the Editors have felt that it is useful once per calendar year to summarize the papers for the readership into broad areas of interest or theme, so that areas of interest can be reviewed in a single article in relation to each other and other recent JCMR articles. The papers are presented in broad themes and set in context with related literature and previously published JCMR papers to guide continuity of thought in the journal. We hope that you find the open-access system increases wider reading and citation of your papers, and that you will continue to send your quality papers to JCMR for publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Pennell
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - A J Baksi
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - S K Prasad
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - C E Raphael
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - P J Kilner
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - R H Mohiaddin
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - F Alpendurada
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - S V Babu-Narayan
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - J Schneider
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
| | - D N Firmin
- Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust & Imperial College, Sydney Street, London, SW 3 6NP, UK.
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20
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Teng Z, Feng J, Zhang Y, Sutcliffe MPF, Huang Y, Brown AJ, Jing Z, Lu Q, Gillard JH. A uni-extension study on the ultimate material strength and extreme extensibility of atherosclerotic tissue in human carotid plaques. J Biomech 2015; 48:3859-67. [PMID: 26472304 PMCID: PMC4655866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture occurs when mechanical loading exceeds its material strength. Mechanical analysis has been shown to be complementary to the morphology and composition for assessing vulnerability. However, strength and stretch thresholds for mechanics-based assessment are currently lacking. This study aims to quantify the ultimate material strength and extreme extensibility of atherosclerotic components from human carotid plaques. Tissue strips of fibrous cap, media, lipid core and intraplaque hemorrhage/thrombus were obtained from 21 carotid endarterectomy samples of symptomatic patients. Uni-extension test with tissue strips was performed until they broke or slid. The Cauchy stress and stretch ratio at the peak loading of strips broken about 2 mm away from the clamp were used to characterize their ultimate strength and extensibility. Results obtained indicated that ultimate strength of fibrous cap and media were 158.3 [72.1, 259.3] kPa (Median [Inter quartile range]) and 247.6 [169.0, 419.9] kPa, respectively; those of lipid and intraplaque hemorrhage/thrombus were 68.8 [48.5, 86.6] kPa and 83.0 [52.1, 124.9] kPa, respectively. The extensibility of each tissue type were: fibrous cap – 1.18 [1.10, 1.27]; media – 1.21 [1.17, 1.32]; lipid – 1.25 [1.11, 1.30] and intraplaque hemorrhage/thrombus – 1.20 [1.17, 1.44]. Overall, the strength of fibrous cap and media were comparable and so were lipid and intraplaque hemorrhage/thrombus. Both fibrous cap and media were significantly stronger than either lipid or intraplaque hemorrhage/thrombus. All atherosclerotic components had similar extensibility. Moreover, fibrous cap strength in the proximal region (closer to the heart) was lower than that of the distal. These results are helpful in understanding the material behavior of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzhao Teng
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jiaxuan Feng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongxue Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Yuan Huang
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Adam J Brown
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Zaiping Jing
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingsheng Lu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
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21
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Pennell DJ, Baksi AJ, Kilner PJ, Mohiaddin RH, Prasad SK, Alpendurada F, Babu-Narayan SV, Neubauer S, Firmin DN. Review of Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2013. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2014; 16:100. [PMID: 25475898 PMCID: PMC4256918 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-014-0100-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There were 109 articles published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) in 2013, which is a 21% increase on the 90 articles published in 2012. The quality of the submissions continues to increase. The editors are delighted to report that the 2012 JCMR Impact Factor (which is published in June 2013) has risen to 5.11, up from 4.44 for 2011 (as published in June 2012), a 15% increase and taking us through the 5 threshold for the first time. The 2012 impact factor means that the JCMR papers that were published in 2010 and 2011 were cited on average 5.11 times in 2012. The impact factor undergoes natural variation according to citation rates of papers in the 2 years following publication, and is significantly influenced by highly cited papers such as official reports. However, the progress of the journal's impact over the last 5 years has been impressive. Our acceptance rate is <25% and has been falling because the number of articles being submitted has been increasing. In accordance with Open-Access publishing, the JCMR articles go on-line as they are accepted with no collating of the articles into sections or special thematic issues. For this reason, the Editors have felt that it is useful once per calendar year to summarize the papers for the readership into broad areas of interest or theme, so that areas of interest can be reviewed in a single article in relation to each other and other recent JCMR articles. The papers are presented in broad themes and set in context with related literature and previously published JCMR papers to guide continuity of thought in the journal. We hope that you find the open-access system increases wider reading and citation of your papers, and that you will continue to send your quality manuscripts to JCMR for publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dudley John Pennell
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Arun John Baksi
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Philip John Kilner
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Raad Hashem Mohiaddin
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Sanjay Kumar Prasad
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Francisco Alpendurada
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Sonya Vidya Babu-Narayan
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - David Nigel Firmin
- />Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP UK
- />Imperial College, London, UK
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Teng Z, Sadat U, Brown AJ, Gillard JH. Plaque hemorrhage in carotid artery disease: pathogenesis, clinical and biomechanical considerations. J Biomech 2014; 47:847-58. [PMID: 24485514 PMCID: PMC3994507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stroke remains the most prevalent disabling illness today, with internal carotid artery luminal stenosis due to atheroma formation responsible for the majority of ischemic cerebrovascular events. Severity of luminal stenosis continues to dictate both patient risk stratification and the likelihood of surgical intervention. But there is growing evidence to suggest that plaque morphology may help improve pre-existing risk stratification criteria. Plaque components such a fibrous tissue, lipid rich necrotic core and calcium have been well investigated but plaque hemorrhage (PH) has been somewhat overlooked. In this review we discuss the pathogenesis of PH, its role in dictating plaque vulnerability, PH imaging techniques, marterial properties of atherosclerotic tissues, in particular, those obtained based on in vivo measurements and effect of PH in modulating local biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzhao Teng
- University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK.
| | - Umar Sadat
- Department of Surgery, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Adam J Brown
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
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Khatib S, Vaya J. Oxysterols and symptomatic versus asymptomatic human atherosclerotic plaque. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 446:709-13. [PMID: 24393847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of mortality in the Western world, contributing to about 50% of all deaths. Atherosclerosis is characterized by deposition of lipids onto the coronary or carotid arterial wall and formation of an atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic plaques are categorized into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic. The symptomatic plaques tend to be unstable and prone to rupture, and are associated with an increase in ischemic events. Oxysterols, products of cholesterol oxidation, are cytotoxic materials. Their level and type may be associated with plaque formation, development and stability. Oxysterols stimulate the formation of foam cells, advance atherosclerotic plaque progression, and contribute to plaque vulnerability and instability due to their cytotoxicity and their ability to induce cell apoptosis. Studies indicate that plasma 7β-OH CH level can be used as a biomarker for detecting carotid and coronary artery disease. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the potential of oxysterols for use as biomarkers for plaque vulnerability and instability. The identification of biomarkers in the blood that can distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques remains an unresolved issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soliman Khatib
- Department of Oxidative Stress and Human Diseases, MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, P.O. Box 831, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel; Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 12210, Israel
| | - Jacob Vaya
- Department of Oxidative Stress and Human Diseases, MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, P.O. Box 831, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel; Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 12210, Israel.
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