Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for imaging vasa vasorum: comparison with histopathology in a swine model of atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the agreement between contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and histopathology in an animal model of atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
Atherosclerosis was studied in both femoral arteries of four Rapacz familial hypercholesterolaemia (RFH) swine. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of the eight femoral arteries was performed at baseline and at 5, 12, 26, and 43 weeks follow-up after percutaneous transluminal stimulation of atherosclerosis to assess the progression of intima-media thickness (IMT) and the density and extent of the vasa vasorum network. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging allowed an early detection of atherosclerosis and showed a significant gradual progression of atherosclerosis over time. IMT increased from 0.22 +/- 0.05 mm at baseline to 0.45 +/- 0.06 mm (P < 0.001) at follow-up. The density of the vasa vasorum network increased during follow-up and was significantly higher in advanced than in early atherosclerosis. The findings with contrast-enhanced ultrasound were confirmed by histopathological specimens of the arterial wall.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is effective for in vivo detection of vasa vasorum in atherosclerotic plaques in the RFH swine model. After stimulation of atherosclerosis, contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated a significantly increased IMT and significantly increased density of the vasa vasorum network in the developing atherosclerotic plaque, which was validated by histology.
Schinkel
Arend F L
AF
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. a.schinkel@erasmusmc.nl
Krueger
Chris G
CG
Tellez
Armando
A
Granada
Juan F
JF
Reed
Jess D
JD
Hall
Anne
A
Zang
William
W
Owens
Cindy
C
Kaluza
Greg L
GL
Staub
Daniel
D
Coll
Blai
B
Ten Cate
Folkert J
FJ
Feinstein
Steven B
SB
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014651:Vasa Vasorum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media