The molecular imaging of thrombosis is a highly sensitive and specific approach to guide the analysis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (18, 19). of plaque condition for avoiding plaque rupture and connected adverse cardiovascular events in such individuals. Sustained developments in molecular and non-molecular imaging technologies possess enabled the progressively specific and sensitive analysis of atherothrombosis in animal studies and medical settings, making these technologies priceless to individuals’ health in the future. In the present review, we discuss current progress concerning the non-molecular and molecular imaging of thrombosis in different animal studies and atherosclerotic individuals. (4). Relative to traditional imaging to assess disease based on morphological and physiological function changes, these modalities focus on assessing anatomical morphology and physiology and provide significantly more insight into disease’s molecular and cellular basis. Molecular imaging strategies rely on the use of highly specific and sensitive targeted probes together with high-resolution imaging products to visualize pathological processes such as thrombosis in real-time, enabling clinicians and experts to better understand the pathophysiological features of early thrombosis (5). Major imaging modalities developed to date include ultrasound (6), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (7), positron emission tomography (PET) (8), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (9), computed tomography (CT) (10), optical imaging (11), and multimodal imaging (12) (Number 1). The molecular imaging of thrombosis is definitely a highly sensitive and specific approach to guide the analysis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (18, 19). Additionally, non-molecular imaging can Ricasetron provide important insights concerning thrombus formation, Ricasetron and plaque vulnerability (20), therefore aiding in the prevention of thrombosis in atherosclerotic individuals. Non-molecular imaging strategies rely on the quantification of physiological and pathological processes and the Ricasetron morphological and structural levels. This review is focused on highlighting different non-molecular and molecular imaging techniques and their software for the detection and assessment of Atherosclerotic plaque thrombosis in animal models and medical settings. Open in a separate window Number 1 Molecular and Non-molecular thrombosis imaging strategies in atherosclerosis individuals for assessing pathophysiological features related to early thrombosis in the molecular and cellular level (13), including ultrasound molecular imaging (6), magnetic resonance imaging (7), radionuclide imaging (14), optical imaging (15), intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, CT angiography (16), angioscopy and angiography (17). Non-Molecular and Molecular Imaging Modalities Since Dr. F. Mason Sones Jr. performed the first selective coronary angiogram by accident in 1958, invasive contrast X-ray angiography has been the gold standard for imaging of coronary atherosclerosis over the past 50 years (21). While remaining the imaging standard and the most analyzed in regards to individual results, coronary angiography does not provide imaging of atherosclerosis itself, but rather its end result. Major nonmolecular imaging techniques include intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), combined IVUS/OCT imaging, computed tomography angiography (CTA), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), angioscopy, and angiography (Number 1). The arrival of intravascular ultrasound (IVU) and subsequent intravascular imaging modalities, such as OCT and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) delivered the ability to directly image the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque. These intravascular imaging modalities have progressed our understanding of atherosclerosis significantly and have helped to image plaque whatsoever phases of its Rabbit Polyclonal to MRC1 development, while also defining its compositional features that are associated with plaque vulnerability (22). Although invasive, they have also enabled a means by which to serially monitor the natural history of plaque and its modulation with anti-atherosclerotic therapies. While having the ability to determine vulnerable characteristics, such as high plaque volume, thin fibrous cap, lipid-rich core, spotty calcification, and intraplaque neovascularization and hemorrhage, they are as yet unable to determine the activity of plaque, in terms of pathogenic molecular pathways (23). Ideal modalities for imaging of coronary atherosclerosis should combine non-invasiveness so that patients can be assessed at repeat intervals with minimum amount risk, and the accurate and reproducible ability to determine early signals of plaque vulnerability that.
The molecular imaging of thrombosis is a highly sensitive and specific approach to guide the analysis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (18, 19)