Imaging unstable plaque.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular imaging
• Atherosclerosis research
• Molecular imaging

Background:

• Current atherosclerosis diagnosis relies on anatomical stenosis.
• High-risk plaque characterization is crucial for preventing rupture.
• Advances in imaging technology enable detailed plaque assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and emerging imaging techniques for detecting and quantifying unstable atherosclerotic plaque.
• To focus on both invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities.
• To explore the role of molecular probes in plaque characterization.

Main Methods:

• Review of current and emerging invasive and non-invasive imaging techniques.
• Discussion of multimodal cross-sectional imaging.
• Examination of novel molecular probes for tracking plaque rupture precursors.

Main Results:

• Multimodal imaging provides insights into plaque composition and disease burden beyond stenosis.
• Molecular probes track inflammation, micro-calcification, hypoxia, and neoangiogenesis.
• Emerging techniques enhance the characterization of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque.

Conclusions:

• Novel imaging techniques and molecular probes offer advanced methods for assessing atherosclerotic plaque.
• These tools have translational applications in diagnostics, risk stratification, and monitoring therapeutic interventions.
• Future research will focus on quantifying early responses to treatments and improving cardiovascular risk assessment.