Intravascular probe for detection of vulnerable plaque.
OBJECTIVE
Coronary angiography defines geometry of lumen of artery. However, perhaps 70% of heart attacks occur when minimally obstructive thin capped fibroatheroma rupture, causing thrombus and arterial occlusion. We have developed an intravascular imaging detector to identify vulnerable coronary artery plaque.


METHODS
Detector measures beta or conversion electron emissions from plaque-binding radiotracers. Detector assembly fits into a 2-mm diameter catheter and overcomes technical constraints of size, sensitivity, and conformance to intravascular environment.


RESULTS
Device was tested by stepping test point sources past detector to verify function. System resolution is 6.7 mm and sensitivity is 400 cps/microCi one mm from detector.


CONCLUSIONS
This prototype is a first step in imaging of labeled vulnerable plaque in coronary arteries. This type of system may assist in development of targeted and cost effective therapies to lower incidence of acute coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death.
Janecek
Martin
M
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. janecekm@mir.wustl.edu
Patt
Bradley E
BE
Iwanczyk
Jan S
JS
MacDonald
Lawrence
L
Yamaguchi
Yuko
Y
William Strauss
H
H
Tsugita
Ross
R
Ghazarossian
Vartan
V
Hoffman
Edward J
EJ
D001610:Beta Particles; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011849:Radioactive Tracers; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D011849:Radioactive Tracers