Purpose: To compare atherosclerotic plaque uptake of a first (ferumoxtran-10) and second generation (ferumoxytol) ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agent with different pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties.
Materials And Methods: New Zealand White rabbits maintained on a high cholesterol/fat diet were subjected to balloon injury to the abdominal aorta. Ferumoxtran-10 or ferumoxytol (500 micromol/kg) was administered at 2, 4, and 8 weeks following injury.