Innovative imaging modalities have enabled in vivo evaluation of inflammatory processes in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary, carotid and peripheral artery disease. Information about the inflammatory activity and plaque morphology offer detailed assessment of lesion anatomy and activity, that is useful in the study of atherosclerosis and in planning of therapeutic steps.
However, the existing imaging techniques have limitations in assessing plaque characteristics and evaluating the inflammatory nature of active atherosclerotic processes impaired by limited accuracy in detecting lesions that are likely to progress and cause adverse events. Nonetheless, recent clinical trials have demonstrated the value of innovative imaging modalities in optimizing results of percutaneous interventions and improving clinical outcomes. The prospect of early detection of outcome significant lesions at long term follow-up is at least partially hampered by the limited efficacy of the present imaging techniques in assessing inflammatory processes and procedural outcomes.
Research has focused on the development of advanced intravascular and non-invasive imaging techniques that will allow more precise assessment of plaque morphology and inflammation. The combination of different imaging techniques with complementary strengths propose to overcome limitations of conventional imaging and to provide comprehensive assessment of plaque pathophysiology.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic include but are not limited to:
1) Advances in dual energy computed tomography.
2) High resolution intravascular optical coherence imaging.
3) Near infrared spectroscopy.
4) Optoacoustics.
5) Raman spectroscopy.
6) Near infrared fluorescence imaging.
7) Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles magnetic resonance imaging.
8) Combined optical coherence tomography imaging and atherectomy in peripheral artery disease.
Innovative imaging modalities have enabled in vivo evaluation of inflammatory processes in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary, carotid and peripheral artery disease. Information about the inflammatory activity and plaque morphology offer detailed assessment of lesion anatomy and activity, that is useful in the study of atherosclerosis and in planning of therapeutic steps.
However, the existing imaging techniques have limitations in assessing plaque characteristics and evaluating the inflammatory nature of active atherosclerotic processes impaired by limited accuracy in detecting lesions that are likely to progress and cause adverse events. Nonetheless, recent clinical trials have demonstrated the value of innovative imaging modalities in optimizing results of percutaneous interventions and improving clinical outcomes. The prospect of early detection of outcome significant lesions at long term follow-up is at least partially hampered by the limited efficacy of the present imaging techniques in assessing inflammatory processes and procedural outcomes.
Research has focused on the development of advanced intravascular and non-invasive imaging techniques that will allow more precise assessment of plaque morphology and inflammation. The combination of different imaging techniques with complementary strengths propose to overcome limitations of conventional imaging and to provide comprehensive assessment of plaque pathophysiology.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic include but are not limited to:
1) Advances in dual energy computed tomography.
2) High resolution intravascular optical coherence imaging.
3) Near infrared spectroscopy.
4) Optoacoustics.
5) Raman spectroscopy.
6) Near infrared fluorescence imaging.
7) Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles magnetic resonance imaging.
8) Combined optical coherence tomography imaging and atherectomy in peripheral artery disease.
