Cardiovascular Research Advance Access [Accepted Manuscript] published online on June 3, 2009
Cardiovascular Research, doi:10.1093/cvr/cvp179
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ULTRASOUND MOLECULAR IMAGING OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS
From the Division of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
Address correspondence to: Beat A. Kaufmann, MD, Division of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland. Phone: +41 61 328 67 12; Fax: +41 61 265 45 98; E-mail: kaufmannb{at}uhbs.ch
Recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of atherosclerosis have created the need for better noninvasive imaging of vascular phenotype. Ultrasound is widely available, inexpensive and well suited for high-throughput screening in populations that are at risk for atherosclerosis. Novel ultrasonic approaches for the diagnosis of vascular changes in atherosclerosis include (1) assessment of plaque composition by evaluation of the backscattering properties of tissue, (2) assessment of the changes in arterial wall biomechanics, (3) assessment of plaque neovascularisation, and (4) molecular imaging of vascular phenotype changes on a subcellular level. It is thought that such new imaging methodologies will lead to earlier detection of atherosclerosis, and better assessment of the risk for aggressive disease progression. Novel therapies for atherosclerosis will undoubtedly become available within the next decades, and noninvasive imaging techniques will be needed for cost-efficient application of new drugs.
Time for primary review: 26 Days
Supported by grants to Dr. Kaufmann from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Heart Foundation
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Cardiovasc Res 2009 83: 615-616.
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