Validating a bimodal intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) catheter for atherosclerotic plaque detection in rabbits.
Coronary artery disease is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque formation. Despite impressive advances in intravascular imaging modalities, in vivo molecular plaque characterization remains challenging, and different multimodality imaging systems have been proposed. We validated an engineered bimodal intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) / near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging catheter in vivo using a balloon injury atherosclerosis rabbit model. Rabbit aortas and right iliac arteries were scanned in vivo after indocyanine green (ICG) injection, and compared to corresponding ex vivo fluorescence and white light images. Areas of ICG accumulation were colocalized with macroscopic atherosclerotic plaque formation. In vivo imaging was performed with the bimodal catheter integrating ICG-induced fluorescence signals into cross-sectional IVUS imaging. In vivo ICG accumulation corresponded to ex vivo fluorescence signal intensity and IVUS identified plaques.
Département de Génie Électrique and Institut de Génie Biomédical, École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Qc, H3T 1J4, Canada ; Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Maxime
M
Abran
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Barbara E
BE
Stähli
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Nolwenn
N
Merlet
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Teodora
T
Mihalache-Avram
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Mélanie
M
Mecteau
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada ; Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Qc, H3T 1J4, Canada.
Eric
E
Rhéaume
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
David
D
Busseuil
Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada ; Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Qc, H3T 1J4, Canada.
Jean-Claude
JC
Tardif
Département de Génie Électrique and Institut de Génie Biomédical, École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Qc, H3T 1J4, Canada ; Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger, Montreal, Qc, H1T 1C8, Canada.
Frédéric
F
Lesage
(110.7170) Ultrasound; (170.0110) Imaging systems; (170.2150) Endoscopic imaging; (170.6280) Spectroscopy, fluorescence and luminescence