Document Detail


A new method for assessment of plaque vulnerability based on vasa vasorum imaging, by using contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound and differential image analysis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18068834     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Increased neovascularization in vasa vasorum and atherosclerotic plaques has recently been identified as a common feature of inflammation and plaque vulnerability. Microbubble contrast agents, which have been used for intravascular imaging, can be used to trace neovascularization. The aim of the study was to detect and evaluate the density of vasa vasorum in non-culprit coronary atherosclerotic plaques of patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: We have studied intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) signals before, during, and after intracoronary injection of microbubbles, proximal to non-culprit atherosclerotic plaques in 16 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Analyses were accomplished using a computational algorithm for the detection of contrast perfusion in such contrast-enhanced sequences. Perfusion density was evaluated by the mean enhancement in the region of interest provided by this difference-imaging technique. RESULTS: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the pre- and post-injection images showed a significant enhancement in the grey-scale intensity of intima-media and adventitia after injection (intima-media: from 6.0+/-2.5 to 7.9+/-3.3%, p=0.006 and adventitia: from 7.1+/-2.2 to 7.6+/-2.5%, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced intravascular imaging is a novel, yet clinically available, technique that has the potential to enhance IVUS-based characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. The technique introduces a new perspective to the detection of vulnerable plaques and warrants further investigations.
Authors:
Manolis Vavuranakis; Ioannis A Kakadiaris; Sean M O'Malley; Theodore G Papaioannou; Elias A Sanidas; Morteza Naghavi; Stéphane Carlier; Dimitrios Tousoulis; Christodoulos Stefanadis
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2008-02-20
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of cardiology     Volume:  130     ISSN:  1874-1754     ISO Abbreviation:  Int. J. Cardiol.     Publication Date:  2008 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-10-22     Completed Date:  2009-01-05     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8200291     Medline TA:  Int J Cardiol     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  23-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Contrast Media / diagnostic use
Coronary Artery Disease / ultrasonography*
Humans
Ultrasonography, Interventional*
Vasa Vasorum / ultrasonography*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Contrast Media

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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