Can Near-Infrared Imaging Predict Heart Attack Risk?

What causes a heart attack? Is it a physical narrowing in the coronary artery, a blockage that can be seen on angiography? Or is it more likely the eruption of a lipid-rich plaque, a so-called vulnerable plaque, that may not look significant in percent stenosis during a standard catheterization? Today MedStar Heart Institute and Infraredx announced enrollment of the first patient in the Lipid-Rich Plaque (LRP) Study, which will involve 100 centers worldwide and has a target enrollment of 9,000 patients. As Infraredx founder Dr. James Muller states, "Once completed, the LRP Study could redefine the role of intravascular imaging and lay the groundwork for changing standard protocol for managing coronary artery disease."
Source: News from Angioplasty.Org - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news