NON-INVASIVE MOLECULAR IMAGING OF SHEAR STRESS-INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL ACTIVATION AND ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE VULNERABILITY

摘要

In conclusion, with the cast model, complex shear stress fields can be induced in straight vessel segments in vivo. This hemodynamic model enables the direct assessment of low, high, and low/oscillatory shear stress on the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. The model has contributed to the identification of shear stress patterns as essential factors in vessel wall inflammation, atherosclerotic lesion development, and plaque vulnerability. Since both stable and vulnerable lesions can be studied in the same vessel segment this model creates opportunities to further study the molecular pathways involved in plaque vulnerability, to evaluate therapies aimed at plaque stabilization, and to develop molecular imaging strategies to non-invasively detect vulnerable plaques.