Korean Circ J.  2005 Jan;35(1):1-14. 10.4070/kcj.2005.35.1.1.

Noninvasive Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using MRI and CT

• Choe YH

• KMID: 2093906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2005.35.1.1

Abstract

Noninvasive, high-resolution MRI has shown its efficacy in the visualization of carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. MRI is the only noninvasive option for thin plaque cap, active inflammation, fissured/injured plaque and intraplaque hemorrhage, is also useful in monitoring the response after statin therapy, and has the potential to image a coronary plaque and to determine its composition. New contrast agents and targeted molecular imaging open a window for MRI detection of thrombi and assessment of atherosclerotic activity and plaque vulnerability. Currently, multidetector CT is capable of the noninvasive detection of coronary stenosis and coronary calcifications. High resolution CT may be beneficial in the detection of noncalcified vulnerable coronary plaques, and more reliable with the use of newer high-speed volume CT scanners.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Tomography, spiral computed; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Contrast Media
Coronary Stenosis
Hemorrhage
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Inflammation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Molecular Imaging
Plaque, Atherosclerotic*
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Contrast Media