Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2015 | Review
Vascular and plaque imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide
Authors:
Shirjel R. Alam, Colin Stirrat, Jennifer Richards, Saeed Mirsadraee, Scott I. K. Semple, George Tse, Peter Henriksen, David E. Newby
Published in:
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
|
Issue 1/2015
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Abstract
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) has become a primary tool for non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular anatomy, pathology and function. Existing contrast agents have been utilised for the identification of infarction, fibrosis, perfusion deficits and for angiography. Novel ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agents that are taken up by inflammatory cells can detect cellular inflammation non-invasively using CMR, potentially aiding the diagnosis of inflammatory medical conditions, guiding their treatment and giving insight into their pathophysiology. In this review we describe the utilization of USPIO as a novel contrast agent in vascular disease.