In vivo evaluation of a new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent (P947) to target matrix metalloproteinases in expanding experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is a devastating event, and development of noninvasive methods to detect AAA at risk is needed. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a major role in AAA growth and their subsequent rupture. This study was aimed to evaluate the ability of P947, a recently developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, to target MMPs in vivo in expanding experimental AAAs.

Ischemia-modified albumin and heart fatty acid-binding protein: could early ischemic cardiac biomarkers be used in acute stroke management?

Background: The detection of biomarkers such as ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and heart fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) is used in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. As these biomarkers are not organ specific, we tested them in the neurovascular field.

Methods: A total of 41 patients with acute stroke were enrolled (31 ischemic strokes and 10 intracerebral hemorrhages).