Molecular imaging to identify the vulnerable plaque--from basic research to clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Molecular Imaging
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality in Western countries, with atherosclerosis being a major contributor.
• Atherosclerotic plaque rupture, leading to thrombus formation, is a more prevalent cause of adverse events than mechanical obstruction.
• Current diagnostic methods cannot reliably identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel and existing molecular imaging targets for predicting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
• To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these imaging targets and techniques.
• To assess the clinical application and socio-economic impact of these predictive imaging strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular imaging targets and techniques for vulnerable plaque detection.
• Analysis of biological processes implicated in plaque rupture, including cell death and inflammation.
• Discussion of clinical utility and socio-economic factors for each imaging approach.

Main Results:

• Recent research has identified key biological processes, such as inflammation and cell death, involved in plaque vulnerability.
• Molecular imaging targets are being developed to visualize these processes in vivo.
• Various imaging techniques show promise but have distinct clinical and economic considerations.

Conclusions:

• Understanding plaque biology is crucial for developing predictive imaging tools.
• Molecular imaging offers potential for early identification of rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques.
• Further development and validation are needed to optimize clinical application and socio-economic benefits.