Radionuclide Imaging for the Detection of Inflammation in Vulnerable Plaques

Radionuclide Imaging for the Detection of Inflammation in Vulnerable Plaques John R. Davies, James H. F. Rudd, Peter L. Weissberg, Jagat Narula High risk, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by high numbers of inflammatory cells and proteins. Consequently, there is an urgent need fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2006-04, Vol.47 (8), p.C57-C68
Main Authors: Davies, John R., Rudd, James H.F., Weissberg, Peter L., Narula, Jagat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging
Atherosclerosis - immunology
Atherosclerosis - pathology
Cardiology
Cholesterol
Enzymes
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Foam Cells
Heart attacks
Humans
Inflammation
Lipids
Lipoproteins
Macrophages
Matrix Metalloproteinases
Medical imaging
Monocytes
Phagocytosis
Plasma
Positron-Emission Tomography
Proteins
Radiopharmaceuticals
Tomography
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Summary:Radionuclide Imaging for the Detection of Inflammation in Vulnerable Plaques John R. Davies, James H. F. Rudd, Peter L. Weissberg, Jagat Narula High risk, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by high numbers of inflammatory cells and proteins. Consequently, there is an urgent need for imaging techniques that can identify and quantify levels of inflammation within atheromatous lesions. Nuclear tracer compounds capable of assessing macrophage recruitment, foam cell generation, matrix metalloproteinase production, macrophage apoptosis, and macrophage metabolism have been developed and tested in the carotid and peripheral circulation. But the identification of inflamed lesions within the coronary circulation remains problematic, owing to the small plaque size and lack of a suitable nuclear tracer. Imaging of atheromatous plaques has traditionally centered on assessing the degree of luminal stenosis. More recently it has become clear that the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques responsible for the majority of life-threatening syndromes are characterized by high numbers of inflammatory cells and proteins. This has highlighted the urgent need for suitable imaging techniques that can identify and quantify levels of inflammation within atheromatous lesions. Positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging hold promise in this regard. Tracer compounds capable of assessing macrophage recruitment, foam cell generation, matrix metalloproteinase production, macrophage apoptosis, and macrophage metabolism have been developed and tested in the carotid and peripheral circulation. The identification of inflamed lesions within the coronary circulation, however, remains elusive owing to small plaque size, cardiac and respiratory motion, and lack of a suitable specific nuclear tracer.
ISSN:0735-1097
1558-3597
DOI:10.1016/j.jacc.2005.11.049