Current imaging modalities for atherosclerosis. (April 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kataoka, Yu; Uno, Kiyoko; Puri, Rishi; Nicholls, Stephen J
• Is Part Of: Expert review of cardiovascular therapy. Volume 10:Number 4(2012)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2012-04
• Subjects: anti-atherosclerotic medical therapies -- atheroma progression -- atheroma regression -- atherosclerosis -- imaging modalities; Cardiovascular agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.12061
• DOI: 10.1586/erc.12.28
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9072

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease is responsible for nearly half of all deaths in the western world. During the past three decades, considerable efforts have been made towards detection and assessment of atherosclerosis plaques in various vascular beds using different imaging techniques. Recently, both noninvasive and invasive modalities have frequently been used to refine cardiovascular risk assessment in high-risk individuals, to evaluate the natural history of atheroma burden and to reveal the impact of anti-atherosclerotic medical therapies on disease progression. In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available imaging modalities. This article will underscore arterial wall imaging to assess the impact of medical therapies on atherosclerosis and to develop the effective therapeutic strategies, resulting in the prevention of cardiovascular complications.