Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis: a Clinical Focus

AbstractPurpose of ReviewMolecular imaging of cardiovascular disease is a powerful clinical and experimental approach that can inform our understanding of atherosclerosis biology. Complementing cross-sectional imaging techniques that provide detailed anatomical information, molecular imaging can further detect important biological changes occurring within atheroma and refine the prediction of vascular complications.Recent FindingsMolecular imaging of atherosclerosis can illuminate underlying pathophysiology and serve as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials of new drugs.SummaryThis review showcases promising molecular approaches for imaging atherosclerosis, with a focus on positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intravascular near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging methods that are in the clinic or close-to-clinical usage.

Source: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports - February 3, 2017 Category: Radiology Source Type: research