Research progresses in evaluating the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque with positron emission tomography/computed tomography

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2021.01.006

Abstract

Abstract: Rupture of carotid atherosclerotic plaque is the primary cause of cerebral infarction. It is a cutting edge in atherosclerosis to investigate the pathophysiological mechanism of vulnerable plaque progression for early detection. Recent studies have revealed that inflammation may cause the occurrence, development, and rupture of atherosclerotic plaque, however, its physiological mechanism and relationship with the outcome of atherosclerotic plaque are poorly understood. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI)and positron emission tomography(PET)are the non-invasive imaging technology and increasingly applied to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque. As HR-MRI is used for imaging morphology of carotid plaque with high spatial resolution, PET can be used for quantitative imaging macrophages metabolism of response to inflammation with high sensitivity and specificity. In this work, we reviewed the research progresses in the evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque stability with HR-MRI, PET and simultaneous PET/MR imaging to reveal the physiological mechanism of inflammation and plaque stability and provide early imaging warning of vulnerable plaques, and develop more effective treatment strategies. It may play an important role in effectively preventing the occurrence of cerebral infarction.

Key words: atherosclerosis, carotid plaque, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI), positron emission tomography(PET), simultaneous PET/MR

CLC Number:

R445

Zhang Yue, Lu Jie. Research progresses in evaluating the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque with positron emission tomography/computed tomography[J]. Journal of Capital Medical University, 2021, 42(1): 31-36.

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URL: https://journal03.magtech.org.cn/Jweb_sdykdxxb/EN/10.3969/j.issn.1006-7795.2021.01.006

https://journal03.magtech.org.cn/Jweb_sdykdxxb/EN/Y2021/V42/I1/31

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