Imaging of the vasa vasorum
- 1 August 2008
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vol. 5 (S2), S18-S25
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1157
Abstract
Neovascularization of the arterial walls by adventitial vasa vasorum appears to participate in the process of atherosclerosis progression and destabilization. Although the biological mechanisms associated with plaque instability are still unclear, the uncontrolled formation of intraplaque neovessels appears to contribute to the development of complex atheromatous lesions. Recent reports have described the use of several ultrasound-based techniques for the real-time detection of intraplaque neovascularization. Preliminary studies in animal models have shown that the detection and characterization of adventitial neovascularization are technically feasible. The further development of these imaging techniques relies on the successful implementation of contrast microspheres capable of enhancing microvascular structures. These contrast agents serve as surrogate red blood cells and perform acoustically as true intravascular tracers providing, in real-time, the amount and distribution of neovessels within atherosclerotic lesions. Several ultrasound-based techniques are under development for the detection of adventitial vasa vasorum in the carotid and coronary vascular territories. Although still in early validation phases, these techniques might permit the early diagnosis and stratification of subclinical atherosclerosis, thus permitting aggressive preventive therapy. In the near future, innovative contrast agents using specific ligands are likely to expand the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of these emerging imaging techniques.Keywords
This publication has 35 references indexed in Scilit:
- Contrast Harmonic Intravascular UltrasoundInvestigative Radiology, 2006
- Contrast Ultrasound Imaging of the Carotid Artery Vasa Vasorum and Atherosclerotic Plaque NeovascularizationJournal of the American College of Cardiology, 2006
- Arterial Neovascularization and Inflammation in Vulnerable PatientsCirculation, 2004
- Adventitial vasa vasorum heterogeneity among different vascular bedsJournal of Vascular Surgery, 2004
- Vasa vasorum growth in the coronary arteries of newborn pigsBrain Structure and Function, 2004
- Experimental angiogenesis of arterial vasa vasorumCell and tissue research, 2002
- Expression of the Angiogenic Protein, Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor, in Coronary Atherosclerotic PlaquesArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 1999
- An in vitro evaluation of the line pattern of the near and far walls of carotid arteries using B-mode ultrasoundJapanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1996
- Arterial wall hypoxia following hyperfusion through the vasa vasorum is an initial lesion in atherosclerosisEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1990
- Hypothesis: Vasa Vasorum and Neovascularization of Human Coronary ArteriesNew England Journal of Medicine, 1984