title: Intravascular MRI for Plaque Characterization: Are We Close to Reality?
abstract: Non-invasive external magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of large vessel atherosclerosis is a robust and promising imaging modality that can be applied for the evaluation of the atherosclerotic process in large vessels. However, it requires expertise for setup and time for data acquisition and analysis. Intravascular MRI is a promising tool, but its use remains at the pre-clinical stage within selected research groups. In this review, the current status and future role of intravascular MRI for atherosclerotic plaque characterization are summarized, along with important challenges which will be necessary to overcome prior to the wide adoption of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UPMC Heart & Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: João L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada. Eric.Larose@criucpq.ulaval.ca.|Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, 2725 chemin Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada. Eric.Larose@criucpq.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larose
mesh_terms: D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging; Intravascular magnetic resonance