Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Development of a Noninvasive, Laser-Assisted Experimental Model of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss
06:23

Development of a Noninvasive, Laser-Assisted Experimental Model of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss

Published on: April 24, 2020

5.8K

Noninvasive Imaging of Endothelial Damage in Patients With Different HbA1c Levels: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Leif-Christopher Engel1,2, Ulf Landmesser3,2,4, Alexander Goehler5

  • 1Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany leifengel@hotmail.com.

Diabetes
|November 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels are linked to increased endothelial permeability in coronary arteries, indicating greater damage. This finding highlights the risk associated with intermediate and high HbA1c for cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Medical Imaging
  • Diabetes Mellitus Research

Background:

  • Endothelial permeability is a key indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels reflect long-term glycemic control and are associated with diabetic complications.
  • Assessing endothelial function in coronary arteries can aid in early diagnosis and risk stratification for CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare endothelial permeability in coronary arteries among patients with varying HbA1c levels using a novel albumin-binding magnetic resonance (MR) probe.
  • To investigate the relationship between different HbA1c categories and the extent of endothelial damage in coronary arteries.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 26 patients undergoing X-ray angiography.
  • Patients were categorized into three HbA1c groups: <5.7%, 5.7-6.4%, and ≥6.5%.
  • Gadofosveset-enhanced coronary MR imaging was performed, and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were analyzed to quantify probe uptake in the coronary wall, excluding culprit lesions.

Main Results:

  • Patients with intermediate (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) and high (HbA1c ≥6.5%) HbA1c levels showed significantly increased normalized CNR values compared to those with normal HbA1c (<5.7%).
  • Specifically, normalized CNR values were 0.30 higher in the intermediate group and 0.57 higher in the high HbA1c group.
  • Late atherosclerotic lesions were more prevalent in patients with higher HbA1c levels (74% in HbA1c ≥6.5% group).

Conclusions:

  • Coronary MRI with an albumin-binding MR probe reveals increased endothelial damage in coronary arteries for patients with intermediate and high HbA1c levels.
  • These findings suggest that elevated HbA1c is associated with a greater extent of endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of CAD.
  • The study supports the utility of MR imaging with targeted probes for evaluating subclinical vascular damage in relation to glycemic control.

More Related Videos

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System10:17

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System

Published on: April 11, 2025

1.8K
Author Spotlight: Impact of Physical Barriers on Rodent Populations in Farmland Areas03:29

Author Spotlight: Impact of Physical Barriers on Rodent Populations in Farmland Areas

Published on: March 8, 2024

979

Related Concept Videos

Social Proof00:52

Social Proof

Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.4K
Self-Concept01:19

Self-Concept

Self-concept is the cognitive and emotional understanding individuals hold about their identity. It evolves through various developmental stages, beginning in infancy and maturing as children grow. This concept influences how individuals perceive their abilities, interact with others, and manage challenges throughout life.
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
1.7K
Concepts and Prototypes01:24

Concepts and Prototypes

The human nervous system handles vast amounts of information by translating sensory stimuli into neural impulses, which the brain processes, creating thoughts expressed through language or stored as memories. The brain also synthesizes information from emotions and memories, which significantly influence thoughts and behaviors. This intricate process creates a comprehensive mental picture.
The brain organizes this information using concepts, which are mental categories grouping linguistic data,...
549
Formula Mass and Mole Concepts of Compounds02:56

Formula Mass and Mole Concepts of Compounds

Formula Mass of Covalent Compounds
81.3K
Basic Concept01:28

Basic Concept

Engineering mechanics is a branch of engineering that studies motion and the forces acting on objects. It is a fundamental subject and forms the basis of many other engineering disciplines. Length, time, mass, and force are some basic concepts in engineering mechanics.
Length, which measures the distance traveled by an object, is a fundamental concept in engineering mechanics. We use coordinates relative to a reference point to describe the distance. Length not only helps to describe the...
6.2K
Concept of Pressure at a Point01:15

Concept of Pressure at a Point

The concept of pressure at a point in a fluid establishes that pressure within a fluid is uniform in all directions at a specific location. This uniformity occurs because fluid molecules exert force evenly across any point due to their random motion and continuous collisions within the fluid. Pressure at a point is determined by the surrounding fluid molecules and is influenced by factors like depth and density, rather than by shape or orientation.
In a fluid at rest, pressure acts equally in...
758