Contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound: Combining morphology with activity-based assessment of plaque vulnerability

Manolis Vavuranakis, Ioannis A. Kakadiaris, Theodoros G. Papaioannou, Sean M. O'Malley, Stephane Carlier, Morteza Naghavi, Christodoulos Stefanadis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acute coronary syndromes are the result of coronary plaque rupture in the majority of cases. Available diagnostic techniques that focus on the early detection of plaques that are prone to rupture are still limited. Increased neovascularization in the vasa vasorum of the atherosclerotic plaque has been identified recently as a common feature of inflammation and plaque vulnerability. Microbubbles, which have been used for ultrasound imaging, can be used to trace neovascularization. We present recent advances in contrast agents and contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound that may be used for the detection of vasa vasorum, including fundamental and harmonic contrast imaging. Identification of vasa vasorum proliferation in atherosclerotic plaques presents important clinical implications; in particular it could provide a means to detect vulnerability in vivo, thereby guiding targeted treatments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)917-925
Number of pages9
JournalExpert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2007

Keywords

  • ACES™
  • Contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound
  • Harmonic IVUS
  • Image analysis
  • Microbubbles
  • Neovascularization
  • Vasa vasorum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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