Future requirement for arterial wall imaging modalities in the evaluation of novel anti-atherosclerotic therapies.
BACKGROUND
While arterial wall imaging has been used to characterize progression of atherosclerosis, there remain limitations to this approach.


METHODS
A selective overview of emerging modalities to image the artery wall and highlight how they may be used to evaluate emerging anti-atherosclerotic agents.


RESULTS
Ongoing developments appear to enable assessment of composition and molecular properties of plaque in addition to quantitation of burden. Non-invasiveness and correlation with clinical outcome remains a challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
New developments in imaging should enhance the ability to provide early characterization of the potential therapeutic efficacy of experimental agents.
Bayturan
Ozgur
O
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland OH, USA.
Uno
Kiyoko
K
Lavoie
Andrea
A
Nicholls
Stephen J
SJ
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D001158:Arteries; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*