Rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque of the carotid artery is an important underlying cause of clinical ischemic events, such as stroke. Abundant microvasculature has been identified as an important aspect contributing to plaque vulnerability. Plaque microvasculature can be studied non-invasively with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-)MRI in animals and patients. In recent years, several DCE-MRI studies have been published evaluating the association between microvasculature and other key features of plaque vulnerability (e.g., inflammation and intraplaque hemorrhage), as well as the effects of novel therapeutic interventions. The present paper reviews this literature, focusing on DCE-MRI methods of acquisition and analysis of atherosclerotic plaques, the current state and future potential of DCE-MRI in the evaluation of plaque microvasculature in clinical and preclinical settings.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11883-016-0583-4 | DOI Listing |
BMC Public Health
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Background: Retinal microvascular abnormalities (RMA) reflect cumulative microvascular damage from systemic diseases and aging. However, little is known about the association between RMA and long-term survival outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationships between RMA and the risk of all-cause and specific-cause mortality among U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Cardiovasc Res
December 2024
Department of Medicine 2, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany.
Atherosclerosis is a pervasive contributor to ischemic heart disease and stroke. Despite the advance of lipid-lowering therapies and anti-hypertensive agents, the residual risk of an atherosclerotic event remains high, and developing therapeutic strategies has proven challenging. This is due to the complexity of atherosclerosis with a spatial interplay of multiple cell types within the vascular wall.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
October 2024
Cardiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, IND.
Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) involves inadequate blood supply to the myocardium by the coronary arteries due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the vessel lumen. It has a complex etiopathogenesis. Physical activity (PA) and exercise lead to vascular remodeling and improved endothelial function, which, in turn, improves the arterial blood supply to the myocardium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Vasc Surg
September 2024
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY. Electronic address:
This review traces the evolution of carotid surgery from its ancient roots to modern practice. The first significant appreciation of the carotid arteries' role in cerebral ischemia was made by Johann Jakob Wepfer in his 1,658 book on apoplexy, which described the separate blood supply to each cerebral hemisphere by the carotid arteries. The 16th-19th centuries saw initial attempts at carotid ligation, while the 20th century marked significant advancements.
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