In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Human Thoracic Aorta

Abstract

This study demonstrates that noninvasive MR evaluation of the aorta compares well with TEE imaging for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque thickness, extent, and composition. This MR method may prove useful for the in vivo study of aortic atherosclerosis.

Differential Impact of Age, Sex, and Hypertension on Aortic Atherosclerosis

“…24 Fayad et al reported that CMR compares well with measures of atherosclerotic plaque size and extent in the thoracic aorta as determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 17 CMR offers advantages over TEE, which is semiinvasive and requires sedation, because it allows more extensive coverage of the aorta, especially the abdominal aorta. CMR may also be preferable to computed tomography (CT) for the detection and quantification of aortic atherosclerotic plaques, as it does not expose subjects to either ionizing radiation or iodinated, nephrotoxic contrast media.…”

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Noninvasive Coronary Angiography and Plaque Imaging

“…In vivo, black-blood MR atherosclerotic plaque characterization of the human aorta has been reported recently by Fayad et al, 26 who assessed thoracic aorta plaque composition and size with the use of T 1 -weighted, T 2 -weighted, and proton density-weighted images. The acquired images had a resolution of 0.8ϫ0.8ϫ5.0 mm 3 with a phased-array coil.…”

“…The signal from the blood flow is rendered black through preparatory pulses (eg, radiofrequency spatial saturation or inversion recovery pulses) to better image the adjacent vessel wall. 26 However, bright blood imaging (ie, 3D fast time of flight) can be employed in assessing fibrous cap thickness and morpholog- ical integrity of the carotid artery plaques. 27 This sequence enhances the signal from flowing blood and a mixture of T 2 * and proton density contrast weighting highlights the fibrous cap.…”

“…Noncoronary Plaques With MRI MR has been used to study atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid, 42 aortic, 26 and coronary 43 arterial disease. In vivo images of advanced lesions in carotid arteries have been obtained from patients referred for endarterectomy.…”

Klinischer Stellenwert und Indikationen zur Magnetresonanztomografie des Herzens 2013: Ein interdisziplinäres Expertenstatement

“…Durch Kombination von anatomischen Bildern (Spinecho-Sequenzen mit und ohne Fettsättigung) mit flusssensitiven Sequenzen und kontrastverstärkter 3D-MR-Angiografie können mittels MRT alle relevanten Befunde (Aortendurchmesser, Wandbeschaffenheit, Thromben sowie Blutfluss im wahren und falschen Lumen) [74,75] erhoben werden. Auch eine Stentgraftplanung zur Behandlung eines Aortenaneurysmas ist mit hochauflösenden, kontrastmittelverstärkten 3D-Sequenzen mit multiplanaren Reformationen möglich.…”