title: The diagnostic value of iron oxide nanoparticles for imaging of myocardial inflammation--quo vadis?
abstract: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is an integral part in the diagnostic work-up of cardiac inflammatory diseases. In this context, superparamagnetic iron oxide-based contrast agents can provide additional diagnostic information regarding the assessment of myocardial infarction and myocarditis. After intravenous administration, these nanoparticles are taken up by activated monocytes and macrophages, which predominantly accumulate in regions associated with inflammation as was successfully shown in recent preclinical studies. Furthermore, first clinical studies with a new iron oxide-complex that was clinically approved for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia recently demonstrated a superior diagnostic value of iron oxide nanoparticles compared to gadolinium-based compounds for imaging of myocardial inflammation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In this article, we outline the basic features of superparamagnetic iron oxide-based contrast agents and review recent studies using such nanoparticles for cardiac imaging in case of acute myocardial infarction as well as acute myocarditis. Moreover, we highlight the translational potential of these agents and possible research applications with regard to imaging and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bietenbeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Anca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Florian
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sechtem
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, building A1, 48149, Münster, Germany. ali.yilmaz@ukmuenster.de.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles