[Atherosclerosis imaging to assess plaque progression].
Cardiovascular disease is the first cause of morbidity and mortality for both men and women in developed countries. Tracking the progression of the atherosclerotic plaque appears to be an effective way to predict modification of risk in individual patients. Quantitative coronary angiography was initially proposed as a method of choice to assess coronary disease progression. With this methodology it was possible to demonstrate a strong association of plaque regression with reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. More recently, the focus of research has turned to the development of noninvasive modalities to image the atherosclerotic plaque in its preclinical stages and to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive therapies with sequential imaging. The ease of performance of these tests enabled their use as intermediate endpoints in clinical trials to test new strategies to treat atherosclerosis. If proven successful, these imaging tools may allow a reduction in size and duration of clinical trials with a substantial cost benefit for society.
Raggi
Paolo
P
Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL48, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, USA. praggi@tulane.edu
Bellasi
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D019821:Simvastatin