title: Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis in translational medicine.
abstract: Functional characterization of atherosclerosis is a promising application of molecular imaging. Radionuclide-based techniques for molecular imaging in the large arteries (e.g. aorta and carotids), along with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been studied both experimentally and in clinical studies. Technical factors including cardiac and respiratory motion, low spatial resolution and partial volume effects mean that noninvasive molecular imaging of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries is not ready for prime time. Positron emission tomography imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose can measure vascular inflammation in the large arteries with high reproducibility, and signal change in response to anti-inflammatory therapy has been described. MRI has proven of value for quantifying carotid artery inflammation when iron oxide nanoparticles are used as a contrast agent. Macrophage accumulation of the iron particles allows regression of inflammation to be measured with drug therapy. Similarly, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is also being evaluated for functional characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. For all of these techniques, however, large-scale clinical trials are mandatory to define the prognostic importance of the imaging signals in terms of risk of future vascular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perrone-Filardi
authors.forename: Santo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dellegrottaglie
authors.forename: James H F
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rudd
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marciano
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vassallo
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsico
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Maria Piera
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Petretta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiariello
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuocolo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography