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Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2013;3(3):194-216
Review Article
Intravascular near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging of atherosclerosis
Arun K Thukkani, Farouc A Jaffer
Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 70 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Research Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Room 3206,
Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
Received February 21, 2013; Accepted March 11, 2013; Epub April 9, 2013; Published April 15, 2013
Abstract: Novel imaging modalities are required to better identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques before their dire consequences
of myo-cardial infarction, sudden death, and stroke. Moving beyond traditional diagnostic methods, the field of molecular imaging
offers an innovative approach to report upon critical in vivo biological features of high-risk plaques. Molecular imaging employs
engineered, targeted imaging agents in conjunction with sophisticated, high-resolution detection systems. While various modalities
have been investigated for this purpose, intravascular near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) strategies are uniquely poised to
provide high-resolution readouts of human coronary artery plaques. To date, preclinical animal studies have demonstrated feasibility
of both standalone NIRF intravascular imaging as well as dual-modality approaches detecting inflammation and fibrin deposition in
coronary-sized arteries. This translatable catheter-based approach is positioned to advance the identification of biologically
vulnerable coronary plaques and coronary stents at risk of thrombosis. (ajnmmi1302004).
Keywords: Near-infrared intravascular imaging, atherosclerosis, coronary, vulnerable plaque, inflammation, coronary stenting
Address correspondence to: Farouc A Jaffer, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Research
Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Room 3206, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Phone: 617-724-9353; Fax: 617-860-3180; E-mail:
fjaffer@mgh.harvard.edu
Review Article
Intravascular near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging of atherosclerosis
Arun K Thukkani, Farouc A Jaffer
Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 70 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Research Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Room 3206,
Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
Received February 21, 2013; Accepted March 11, 2013; Epub April 9, 2013; Published April 15, 2013
Abstract: Novel imaging modalities are required to better identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques before their dire consequences
of myo-cardial infarction, sudden death, and stroke. Moving beyond traditional diagnostic methods, the field of molecular imaging
offers an innovative approach to report upon critical in vivo biological features of high-risk plaques. Molecular imaging employs
engineered, targeted imaging agents in conjunction with sophisticated, high-resolution detection systems. While various modalities
have been investigated for this purpose, intravascular near infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) strategies are uniquely poised to
provide high-resolution readouts of human coronary artery plaques. To date, preclinical animal studies have demonstrated feasibility
of both standalone NIRF intravascular imaging as well as dual-modality approaches detecting inflammation and fibrin deposition in
coronary-sized arteries. This translatable catheter-based approach is positioned to advance the identification of biologically
vulnerable coronary plaques and coronary stents at risk of thrombosis. (ajnmmi1302004).
Keywords: Near-infrared intravascular imaging, atherosclerosis, coronary, vulnerable plaque, inflammation, coronary stenting
Address correspondence to: Farouc A Jaffer, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Research
Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Room 3206, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. Phone: 617-724-9353; Fax: 617-860-3180; E-mail:
fjaffer@mgh.harvard.edu
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