New insights into the vulnerable plaque from imaging studies

Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2014 Mar;16(3):397. doi: 10.1007/s11883-014-0397-1.

Abstract

The concept of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque first developed through histological evaluation of post-mortem coronary arteries has been significantly advanced in recent years by new imaging modalities. Imaging has: 1) verified histological findings, 2) identified features that are associated with unstable plaque, 3) followed plaques over time to study the dynamic nature of vulnerable plaque, 4) predicted clinical events based on imaging features, 5) tested the impact of medical interventions on plaque morphology. This review will summarize the major findings of imaging studies with a focus on how the knowledge base of vulnerable plaque has been advanced.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / etiology
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Angioscopy / methods
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / diagnosis
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / physiopathology
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology*
  • Histological Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Necrosis
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic* / pathology
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic* / physiopathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / methods
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods