PET Molecular Targets and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With this review, we aim to summarize the role of positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) in the detection of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: (18)F-FDG is an established measure of increased macrophage activity. However, due to its low specificity, new radiotracers have emerged for more specific detection of vascular inflammation and other high-risk plaque features such as microcalcification and neovascularization. Novel NIRF probes are engineered to sense endothelial damage as an early sign of plaque erosion as well as oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) as a prime target for atherosclerosis. Integrated NIRF/OCT (optical coherence tomography) catheters enable to detect stent-associated microthrombi. Novel radiotracers can improve specificity of PET for imaging atherosclerosis. Advanced NIRF probes show promise for future application in human. Intravascular NIRF might play a prominent role in the detection of stent-induced vascular injury

Effect of temperature and fixation on the optical properties of atherosclerotic tissue: a validation study of an ex-vivo whole heart cadaveric model

Atherosclerotic plaque composition can be imaged using the optical attenuation coefficient derived from intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. The relation between optical properties and tissue type has been established on autopsy tissues. In this study, we validate an ex-vivo model for the effect of temperature and tissue fixation on optical parameters. We studied the optical attenuation of human coronary arteries at three temperatures, before and after formalin fixation. We developed an en-face longitudinal display of attenuation data of the OCT pullbacks. Using the unfixed, body-temperature condition image as a standard, and after extensive registration with other condition images, we quantify the differences in optical attenuation and the backscattered intensity. The results suggest that tissue fixation and temperature do not introduce systematic errors in studies of arterial optical properties. (C) 2014 Optical Society of Americ