LESION QUANTIFICATION IN HUMAN CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS

描述（由申请人提供）： 心血管系统的严重程度从有限的脂肪条纹到 广泛的复杂斑块。在这两个极端之间的病变， 特别容易受到地表破坏， 血栓形成和血管闭塞。这些病变的非侵入性检测， 活体将提供有价值的信息，以指导适当的医疗和 手术干预，以及随着时间的推移监测药物治疗。这 项目涉及对人类颈动脉粥样硬化病变的综合研究 动脉，血管提供了几个重要的实验优势， 包括手术组织的可用性（数量和质量）和相对容易 在体内成像。该项目的主要目标是开发和 将体内MRI细化到可以准确量化物理 颈动脉粥样硬化病变的尺寸（例如，残余管腔面积、壁 厚度、斑块面积）。次级 目的是将体内MRI发展到可以检测的水平， 区分并尽可能量化特定的化学成分 病变（例如钙化、富脂、纤维化、坏死和血栓形成区域）。 将通过三个具体目标实现这些目标： 目的1是根据颈动脉病变的主要成分， 它们的MR图像在体内和离体获得。他们独特的T1组合， T2和质子密度将使用3D等高线图进行识别和测量， 参数成像和特征空间分析。 目的2将通过组织学和形态学方法，使用常规和微阵列组织技术，量化颈动脉病变成分，并使用这些方法， 校准相应的MR图像。 目的3是使用无创性在体MRI监测他汀类药物治疗对颈动脉粥样硬化病变特征的影响，患者的颈动脉狭窄超过40%。来自所有切片的数据将用于生成显示体积的动脉轮廓， 斑块的径向位置和线性位置。成功执行 该项目将提供宝贵的非侵入性技术， 药物干预对动脉粥样硬化病变的疗效。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Atherosclerotic lesions in the cardiovascular system range widely in severity from the limited fatty streak to the extensive complicated plaque. Between these two extremes are lesions that are especially vulnerable to disruption at their surface, often leading to thrombosis and vessel occlusion. The non-invasive detection of these lesions in vivo would provide valuable information for guiding appropriate medical and surgical intervention, as well as monitoring drug therapy over time. This project involves integrated studies on atherosclerotic lesions in human carotid arteries, vessels that afford several important experimental advantages, including availability of surgical tissue (number and mass) and relative ease of imaging in vivo. A primary objective of this project is to develop and refine in vivo MRI to a state where it can accurately quantify physical dimensions of carotid atherosclerotic lesions (e.g. residual lumen area, wall thickness, plaque area) at specific sites throughout the vessel. A secondary objective is to develop in vivo MRI to a level where it can detect, discriminate among and possibly quantify specific chemical components of lesions (e.g. calcified, lipid-rich, fibrotic, necrotic and thrombotic areas). These objectives will be pursued through three specific aims: AIM 1 is to differentiate and estimate the major components of carotid lesions based on their MR images acquired in vivo and ex vivo. Their unique combinations of T1, T2, and proton density will be identified and measured using 3D contour plots, parametric imaging, and feature space analysis. AIM 2 will be to quantify carotid lesion components by histologic and morphometric methods, using conventional and microarray tissue techniques, and to use these measures to calibrate corresponding MR images. AIM 3 is to use non-invasive in vivo MRI to monitor the effect of statin therapy on carotid atherosclerotic lesion characteristics in patients with greater than 40 percent stenosis. Data from all slices will be used to generate arterial profiles showing the volume, radial position, and linear location of the plaque. Successful execution of this project should provide valuable non-invasive technology for monitoring the efficacy of medical intervention on atherosclerotic lesions.