Study to investigate possible applications for MRI and ultrasound in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery.

Atherosclerosis is a protracted and in fact lifelong progressive disease. Over time, lipids accumulate in the artery wall forming fatty streaks, which eventually can develop into atherosclerotic plaques (1). The later stages of the process, from quiescent atherosclerotic plaque to an active plaque, have a high risk of triggering acute vascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke (1).
Much effort has been put in the development of novel drugs aimed to prevent cardiovascular disease. Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering drugs, in particularly statins, play a pivotal role. The hypothesis that serum lipid lowering results in decrease of lipid accumulation in the arterial wall and thus atherogenesis, has formed the basis for successful drug developing strategies (1;2).

To draw valid conclusions on determinants of disease and effectiveness of lipid modifying therapeutic intervention, imaging of atherosclerosis can be used as a validated tool to assess efficacy of novel compounds (3;4).
Although imaging arterial wall dimensions by B-mode ultrasound and intra-vascular ultrasound have proven their value, longitudinal data of the effects of cardiovascular drugs on arterial wall and plaque composition, in particular of vulnerable plaques with lipid rich necrotic cores (LRNC), are scarce.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are non-invasive imaging modalities that can potentially image plaque composition in-vivo in human carotid arteries. MRI image acquisition at various weightings enables visualisation of plaque composition. Calcification, haemorrhage, fibrous cap and lipid rich necrotic cores can readily be distinguished, providing information on plaque vulnerability. MRS gives a spectrum of resonances, affording detection of specific chemical components through their inherent frequency shift relative to water (5). In image guided MRS, an MR image can be utilized to image and localize a plaque. Proton spectra can then be collected from these plaques, such that the specific proton resonances of lipid components in a mobile state, including cholesterol ester (CE), can be identified (6).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are non-invasive imaging modalities that can image plaque composition in-vivo in human carotid arteries with high sensitivity and specificity with regards to calcification, haemorrhage, fibrous cap and lipid rich necrotic cores.

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