Three-dimensional isotropic wavelets for post-acquisitional extraction of latent images of atherosclerotic plaque components from micro-computed tomography of human coronary arteries.

Rationale And Objectives: The capability of wavelet transforms to separate signals into frequency bands is the basis for its use in image compression and storage, data management and transmission, and, recently, extraction of latent images of tissue components from noisy medical images. Analysis of temporal variations of radiofrequency backscatter of intravascular ultrasound with one-dimensional wavelets can detect lipid-laden plaque in coronary arteries with a sensitivity and specificity of >80%. In this study we evaluate the capability of a novel, 3-dimensional isotropic wavelet analysis to perform high resolution, non-directionally biased, statistically reliable, non-invasive discrimination between components of human coronary atherosclerotic plaques in micro-CT.

Quantification of roughness of calcific deposits in computed tomography scans of human coronary arteries.

Objectives: The incidence of coronary artery disease has been shown to be greater in patients with calcific deposits than in those without. It has been suggested that the pattern of distribution of coronary calcific deposits within coronary arteries is of greater predictive value for acute coronary events than the overall quantity. Whether roughness of calcific deposits is a predictor of acute coronary events is not known.

Usefulness of multidetector computed tomography for noninvasive evaluation of coronary arteries in asymptomatic patients.

This editorial addresses the capabilities, limitations, and potential of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for the noninvasive evaluation of coronary arteries in asymptomatic patients. The quantification of coronary calcium with MDCT correlates highly with that obtained by electron-beam computed tomography, but to date, neither has the capability of assessing the distribution of various morphologic patterns of calcium and their relation to other "soft" plaque components. Although MDCT can assess the thickness of the atherosclerotic wall and can readily identify calcific deposits, further plaque characterization (e.

Finding vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques: is it worth the effort?

Techniques to identify and treat vulnerable plaques are the focus of enormous research. Some have questioned the benefit of locating individual vulnerable plaque in a multifocal disease. On autopsy, it is found that most deaths are caused by thrombotic occlusion of a single plaque; simultaneous occurrence of 2 occlusive thrombi is rare, but a second vulnerable plaque is common, particularly in acute myocardial infarction (MI).

From vulnerable plaque to vulnerable patient: a call for new definitions and risk assessment strategies: Part II.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease results in >19 million deaths annually, and coronary heart disease accounts for the majority of this toll. Despite major advances in treatment of coronary heart disease patients, a large number of victims of the disease who are apparently healthy die suddenly without prior symptoms. Available screening and diagnostic methods are insufficient to identify the victims before the event occurs.

From vulnerable plaque to vulnerable patient: a call for new definitions and risk assessment strategies: Part I.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease results in >19 million deaths annually, and coronary heart disease accounts for the majority of this toll. Despite major advances in treatment of coronary heart disease patients, a large number of victims of the disease who are apparently healthy die suddenly without prior symptoms. Available screening and diagnostic methods are insufficient to identify the victims before the event occurs.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide-based method for quantifying recruitment of monocytes to mouse atherosclerotic lesions in vivo: enhancement by tissue necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interferon-gamma.

Background: It has been found recently that the MRI contrast agent superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) localizes to aortic atherosclerotic plaques. We therefore asked whether SPIO might be used to monitor monocyte recruitment into aortic atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods And Results: Eleven female apo E knockout (K/O) mice, each 11 months old, were divided into 2 groups.