title: Magnetic resonance imaging of atherothrombotic plaques.
abstract: Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of long term morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite significant advances in its management. Vulnerable atherothrombotic plaques are predominantly responsible for thromboembolic ischaemic events in arterial beds, such as the carotid, coronary and lower limb arteries. MRI has emerged as a non-invasive, non-irradiating and highly reproducible imaging technique which allows detailed morphological and functional assessment of such plaques. It also has the potential to monitor the efficacy of established and evolving anti-atherosclerosis drugs. It is envisaged that by careful identification and understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern atherosclerosis, novel treatment strategies can be formulated which may reduce the persistent high mortality and morbidity rates associated with this disease. MRI shows promise in achieving this goal.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Post Office Box 218, Level 5, Hills Road, Cambridge CB20QQ, UK. Electronic address: au239@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ammara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Vascular Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Umar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sadat
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Post Office Box 218, Level 5, Hills Road, Cambridge CB20QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Post Office Box 218, Level 5, Hills Road, Cambridge CB20QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Gillard
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Imaging; MRI; Plaques; Stroke; Thrombosis