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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Microwave-driven Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Fast Detection of Atherosclerosis
Published on: March 22, 2016
Vascular and plaque imaging with ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide
Shirjel R Alam1,2, Colin Stirrat3,4, Jennifer Richards5
1Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5SA, UK. s.r.alam@sms.ed.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) has become a primary tool for non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular anatomy, pathology and function. Existing contrast agents have been utilised for the identification of infarction, fibrosis, perfusion deficits and for angiography. Novel ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agents that are taken up by inflammatory cells can detect cellular inflammation non-invasively using CMR, potentially aiding the diagnosis of inflammatory medical conditions, guiding their treatment and giving insight into their pathophysiology. In this review we describe the utilization of USPIO as a novel contrast agent in vascular disease.
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