Advances in translational imaging of the microcirculation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Research
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• The human microcirculation plays a critical role in health and disease.
• Previous limitations in imaging technology hindered detailed study of microvascular structures.
• Recent technological advancements have enabled unprecedented insights into the microcirculation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and application of human microcirculation imaging techniques.
• To highlight the role of translational imaging in clinical practice.
• To explore the potential of these technologies for disease diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

• Review of various imaging modalities including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), optical imaging, and ultrasound (US).
• Focus on clinical applications and assessment of microcirculation in patients.
• Emphasis on techniques sensitive to microvascular signals or capable of microvascular spatial resolution.

Main Results:

• A new era of translational imaging allows in vivo visualization of the human microcirculation.
• These techniques characterize morphological and functional microcirculatory changes in various pathologies.
• Significant advances have been made in imaging the microcirculation in preclinical models and humans.

Conclusions:

• Translational imaging technologies are crucial for interrogating the structural and functional status of the human microcirculation.
• Making the microcirculation visible in vivo facilitates bench-to-bedside discoveries.
• Enhanced diagnosis and management of diseases are facilitated by these advanced imaging capabilities.