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Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports
Published in: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports 1/2012

Open Access 01-02-2012 | Cardiac Molecular Imaging (F Jaffer, Section Editor)

Molecular MRI of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis

Authors: Bernard C. te Boekhorst, Geralda A. van Tilborg, Gustav J. Strijkers, Klaas Nicolay

Published in: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaque is a risk factor for plaque rupture and atherothrombosis and may direct interventional therapy. Inflammatory activity can be evaluated at the (sub)cellular level using in vivo molecular MRI. This paper reviews recent progress in contrast-enhanced molecular MRI to visualize atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. Various MRI contrast agents, among others ultra-small particles of iron oxide, low-molecular-weight Gd-chelates, micelles, liposomes, and perfluorocarbon emulsions, have been used for in vivo visualization of various inflammation-related targets, such as macrophages, oxidized LDL, endothelial cell expression, plaque neovasculature, MMPs, apoptosis, and activated platelets/thrombus. An enzyme-activatable magnetic resonance contrast agent has been developed to study myeloperoxidase activity in inflamed plaques. Agents creating contrast based on the chemical exchange saturation transfer mechanism were used for thrombus imaging. Transfer of these molecular MRI techniques to the clinic will critically depend on the safety profiles of these newly developed magnetic resonance contrast agents.
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Metadata
Title
Molecular MRI of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Authors
Bernard C. te Boekhorst
Geralda A. van Tilborg
Gustav J. Strijkers
Klaas Nicolay
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1941-9066
Electronic ISSN: 1941-9074
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-011-9114-4

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