Atherosclerosis and thrombosis: identification of targets for magnetic resonance imaging

Imaging techniques are needed that will allow earlier and more refined diagnosis, guide targeted treatment in individual patients and monitor response to that treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is well-suited to these tasks as it can provide anatomical, structural, and functional data on the arterial wall. Its capabilities are further enhanced by the use of a range of increasingly sophisticated contrast agents that target specific molecules, cells, and biological processes. This article will consider the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and systematically identify biologically relevant targets for imaging at different stages of disease process.