Investigation of micro-ultrasound for microvessel imaging in a model of chronic total occlusion.
The aim of the current study is to investigate the ability of micro-ultrasound (microUS) to identify microvasculature in CTOs in vivo. Results are compared with MRI studies. CTOs were developed in nine porcine superficial femoral arteries (SFA) by percutaneous insertion of a dissolvable polymer plug. This model is characterized by acute thrombosis that later organizes into a fibrotic CTO containing abundant microchannels. 3D microUS images with Power Doppler (PD) overlays from the arteries were acquired at two timepoints: one and eight weeks after placement ofthe polymerplug. Phase contrast MRI and contrast enhanced MRI was also performed. Imaging was performed transcutaneously. Microvessels were identified in vivo in six of eight CTOs using microUS, and in three of seven CTO vessels with MRI, compared with five of seven seen histologically. PW Doppler profiles showed pulsatile blood velocities of approximately 2 cm/s. Intraluminal microvessels within CTOs can be consistently identified by 3D microUS. This technique appears to be more sensitive than MRI. MicroUS may play a role in guiding CTO interventions.
Thind
Amandeep S
AS
Department of Medical Biophysics, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Ave, S6 39, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada. aman@sri.utoronto.ca
Leung
General
G
Munce
Nigel R
NR
Graham
John J
JJ
Anderson
Kevan J T
KJ
Dick
Alexander J
AJ
Strauss
Bradley H
BH
Wright
Graham A
GA
Foster
F Stuart
FS
D000818:Animals; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008833:Microcirculation; D013552:Swine; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*