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Use of contrast enhancement and high-resolution 3D black-blood MRI to identify inflammation in atherosclerosis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21071000     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: We investigated the contributing factors for plaque enhancement and examined the relationships between regional contrast enhancement and the inflammatory activity of atherosclerotic plaques in an experimental rabbit model using contrast-enhanced high-resolution 3-dimensional (3D) black-blood magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in comparison with histopathologic analysis.
BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a critical role in plaque initiation, progression, and disruption. As such, inflammation represents an emerging target for the treatment of atherosclerosis. MRI findings suggest that contrast agent-induced signal enhancement is associated with the degree of macrophage infiltration and neovessels that can be detected in plaque.
METHODS: Ten atherosclerotic rabbits and 3 normal control rabbits underwent high-resolution 3D contrast-enhanced black-blood MRI. Magnetic resonance images and the corresponding histopathologic sections were divided into 4 quadrants. Plaque composition was analyzed for each quadrant according to histopathologic criteria (percent of lipid-rich, fibrous, macrophage area and microvessel density) and imaging criteria (enhancement ratio [ER], ER = signal intensity(post)/signal intensity(pre)). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine independent factors for plaque enhancement.
RESULTS: A total of 62 noncalcified plaques (n = 248; 156 lipid-rich quadrants and 92 fibrous quadrants) were identified based on histopathologic analysis. Mean ER values were significantly higher in atherosclerotic vessel walls than in normal vessel walls (2.03 ± 0.25 vs. 1.58 ± 0.15; p = 0.017). The mean ER values were significantly higher in lipid-rich quadrants compared with the fibrous quadrants (2.14 ± 0.31 vs. 1.84 ± 0.21; p = 0.001). Mean ER values were significantly higher in macrophage-rich plaques compared with the macrophage-poor plaques (2.21 ± 0.28 vs. 1.81 ± 0.22; p = 0.001). Using multiple regression analysis, macrophage area and microvessel density were associated independently with ER values that reflected plaque enhancement (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced high-resolution 3D black-blood MRI may be an efficient method to detect plaque inflammation.
Authors:
Jin Hur; Jaeseok Park; Young Jin Kim; Hye-Jeong Lee; Hyo Sup Shim; Kyu Ok Choe; Byoung Wook Choi
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  JACC. Cardiovascular imaging     Volume:  3     ISSN:  1876-7591     ISO Abbreviation:  JACC Cardiovasc Imaging     Publication Date:  2010 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-11-12     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101467978     Medline TA:  JACC Cardiovasc Imaging     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1127-35     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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Comment In:
JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2010 Nov;3(11):1136-8   [PMID:  21071001 ]

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