Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Isolation and Analysis of Aortic Arch and Root Lesions in an Atherosclerotic Mouse Model
Published on: February 14, 2025
Three-dimensional and quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic plaque composition by automated differential
Nico Bruining1, Stefan Verheye, Michiel Knaapen
1Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To validate automated and quantitative three-dimensional analysis of coronary plaque composition using intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS).
Background:
ICUS displays different tissue components based on their acoustic properties in 256 grey-levels. We hypothesised that computer-assisted image analysis (differential echogenicity) would permit automated quantification of several tissue components in atherosclerotic plaques.
Methods And Results:
Ten 40-mm-long left anterior descending specimens were excised during autopsy of which eight could be successfully imaged by ICUS. Histological sections were taken at 5 mm intervals and analyzed. Since most of the plaques were calcified and having a homogeneous appearance, one specimen with a more heterogeneous composition was further examined: at each interval of 5 mm, 15 additional sections (every 100 microm) were evaluated. Plaques were scored for echogenicity against the adventitia: brighter (hyperechogenic) or less bright (hypoechogenic). Areas of hypoechogenicity correlated with the presence of smooth muscle cells. Areas of hyperechogenicity correlated with presence of collagen, and areas of hyperechogenicity with acoustic shadowing correlated with calcium. None of these comparisons showed statistical significant differences.
Conclusion:
This ex vivo feasibility study shows that automated three-dimensional differential echogenicity analysis of ICUS images allows identification of different tissue types within atherosclerotic plaques. This technology may play a role as an additional tool in longitudinal studies to trace possible changes in plaque composition.
