title: The in vivo diagnosis of early-stage aortic valve sclerosis using magnetic resonance imaging in a rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify and monitor early aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits. AVS is a highly prevalent disease process, affecting more than 25% of the population over age 65. A major obstacle to early stage medical management of AVS has been the lack of an objective noninvasive technique to identify its presence and monitor its progress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospectively gated CINE fast spoiled gradient echo (fSPGR) images of aortic valve cusps were collected at 3-month intervals starting at 6 months using a 1.5 T MR scanner interfaced with a customized surface radiofrequency coil. At 16 months a subset of animals was sacrificed and excised cusps were examined with both high frequency ultrasound (US) and histopathological techniques to validate the MRI method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MR and US analysis identified significant thickening of diseased AV cusps when compared to control (P < 0.05). Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of human-like AVS in diseased rabbit valves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early AVS, exemplified by increased valve thickness, can be identified in vivo using high-resolution MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Kem A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drangova
authors.forename: Zamir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ronald
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Rutt
authors.forename: Kyle A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Maclean
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lacefield
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Boughner
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D002784:Cholesterol