title: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for imaging vasa vasorum: comparison with histopathology in a swine model of atherosclerosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. a.schinkel@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Arend F L
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Schinkel
authors.forename: Chris G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tellez
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Granada
authors.forename: Jess D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Greg L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Kaluza
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Staub
authors.forename: Blai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coll
authors.forename: Folkert J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ten Cate
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Feinstein
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media