Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI to Study Atherosclerotic Plaque Microvasculature

Raf H. M. van Hoof, Sylvia Heeneman, Joachim E. Wildberger, Eline Kooi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque of the carotid artery is an important underlying cause of clinical ischemic events, such as stroke. Abundant microvasculature has been identified as an important aspect contributing to plaque vulnerability. Plaque microvasculature can be studied non-invasively with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-)MRI in animals and patients. In recent years, several DCE-MRI studies have been published evaluating the association between microvasculature and other key features of plaque vulnerability (e.g., inflammation and intraplaque hemorrhage), as well as the effects of novel therapeutic interventions. The present paper reviews this literature, focusing on DCE-MRI methods of acquisition and analysis of atherosclerotic plaques, the current state and future potential of DCE-MRI in the evaluation of plaque microvasculature in clinical and preclinical settings.
Original languageEnglish
Article number33
JournalCurrent Atherosclerosis Reports
Volume18
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2016

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
  • Microvasculature
  • Quantification

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