Key result
Molecular imaging techniques such as FDG-PET, MRI, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound provide promising non-invasive methods to assess atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and inflammation.
Molecular imaging offers promising non-invasive methods to characterize atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and inflammation, though technical challenges remain for routine coronary imaging.
Supports hypothesis generation for molecular imaging in research; leaves open routine clinical use pending validation.
Molecular imaging is an innovative and promising approach in cardiology for functional characterization of atherosclerosis. Nuclear, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have been used for assessment of atherosclerosis of large and small arteries in several clinical and experimental studies. Positron Emission Tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose can measure metabolic activity and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques, identifying individuals at risk of future cardiovascular events. Magnetic resonance imaging can quantify carotid artery inflammation using iron oxide nanoparticles as contrast agent. In addition, macrophage accumulation of iron particles in atherosclerotic plaques may allow monitoring of inflammation during drug therapy, whereas contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging may detect plaque neovascularization. Currently, technical factors, including cardiac and diaphragmatic motion and small size of coronary vessels, limit routine application of these techniques for coronary imaging. Purpose of this review is to describe state of the art and potential areas of clinical applications of molecular imaging of atherosclerosis.
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Gargiulo et al. (2015) conducted a review in Atherosclerosis. Molecular imaging (PET, MRI, Ultrasound) was evaluated. Molecular imaging techniques such as FDG-PET, MRI, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound provide promising non-invasive methods to assess atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and inflammation.
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