Molecular imaging diagnosis of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque in rabbit carotid artery using a self-assembled nanoscale ultrasound microbubble contrast agent

Endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine remain normal in the carotid artery of hypercholesterolemic rabbits, but unlike endothelium-dependent relaxations of normal rabbits, they are inhibited by charybdotoxin, a specific blocker of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels. Because nitric oxide (NO) is the mediator of endothelium-dependent relaxation and can activate Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels directly or via guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, the present study investigated the role of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels in relaxations caused by NO, sodium nitroprusside, and 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Brc-GMP) in hypercholesterolemic rabbit carotid artery. Isometric tension was measured in rabbit carotid artery denuded of endothelium from normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits which were fed 0.5% cholesterol for 12 wk. Under control conditions, relaxations to all agents were similar in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbit arteries. Charybdotoxin had no significant effect on relaxations of normal arteries to NO, sodium nitroprusside, or 8-BrcGMP, but the Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel blocker significantly inhibited the relaxations caused by each of these agents in the arteries from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. By contrast, relaxations to the calcium channel blocker nifedipine were potentiated to a similar extent by charybdotoxin in both groups. In addition, arteries from hypercholesterolemic rabbits relaxed less than normal to sodium nitroprusside when contracted with depolarizing potassium solution. These results indicate that although nitrovasodilator relaxations are normal in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit carotid artery, they are mediated differently, and to a greater extent, by Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels. These data also suggest that K+ channel-independent mechanism(s) are impaired in hypercholesterolemia.

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3D-Power Doppler Ultrasound of Breast Lesions with a Microbubble Contrast Agent

Academic Radiology ◽

10.1016/s1076-6332(03)80239-8 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. S384-S385 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C.R Krestan ◽

C Riedl ◽

M Memarsadeghi ◽

M Rudas ◽

G Pfarl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contrast Agent ◽

Doppler Ultrasound ◽

Power Doppler ◽

Breast Lesions ◽

Power Doppler Ultrasound ◽

Microbubble Contrast Agent ◽

3D Power Doppler

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First-in-Human Ultrasound Molecular Imaging With a VEGFR2-Specific Ultrasound Molecular Contrast Agent (BR55) in Prostate Cancer

Investigative Radiology ◽

10.1097/rli.0000000000000362 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (7) ◽

pp. 419-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

Martijn Smeenge ◽

François Tranquart ◽

Christophe K. Mannaerts ◽

Theo M. de Reijke ◽

Marc J. van de Vijver ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Molecular Imaging ◽

Contrast Agent ◽

Ultrasound Molecular Imaging ◽

Molecular Contrast

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199. Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Restore Endothelial Function of Balloon Injured Rabbit Carotid Artery

Molecular Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.06.107 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. S77

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Endothelial Progenitor Cells ◽

Endothelial Progenitor ◽

Rabbit Carotid Artery ◽

Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells

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Abstract 3482: Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression is Correlated with Carotid Intraplaque hemorrhage in a Swine Model

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3482 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhong-Song Shi ◽

Xiao-Bing Jiang ◽

Jin-Shan Wang ◽

Wei-Si Yuan ◽

Dong-Hong Liu

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽

Vulnerable Plaque ◽

Carotid Plaque ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽

Swine Model ◽

Carotid Plaques ◽

Rete Mirabile ◽

Atherosclerotic Changes

Purpose: The limited number of large animal carotid atherosclerotic models restricts the preclinical evaluation of endovascular therapies. Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage may be associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid disease. In this study, we assess the association of the lesional expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 with vulnerable atherosclerotic carotid plaque and intraplaque hemorrhage in a Swine model. Materials and Methods: Carotid atherosclerosis was induced in miniswines using the combination of partial ligation and high cholesterol diet, and a minimum 70% stenosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography immediately post-ligation. Carotid artery sections were obtained for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical study for MMP-9 at three months. Distal embolism was determined by the presence of atheroemboli in the ipsilateral rete mirabile. Atherosclerotic changes were classified by AHA/Stary stage (type I to VI). The association of distal embolism in the rete mirabile with vulnerable carotid plaque was analyzed. The association of MMP-9 expression in the plaque with the vulnerable plaque and intraplaque hemorrhage was further analyzed. Results: One hundred ninety-one carotid segments from ten carotid artery models were assessed. Among 139 segments with atherosclerotic changes, 102 segments had vulnerable plaque (Stary IV to VI). Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques were found more frequently in the vessel wall proximal to the partial ligation than distal ( P <0.0001). Distal embolism was found in all 10 rete mirabilis, and deemed to be from the ipsilateral vulnerable carotid plaques. Areas positive for MMP-9 tended to be greater in the vulnerable plaque than in the stable plaque (8.69 ± 0.73% vs. 7.04 ± 0.94%, p=0.35). Areas positive for MMP-9 were significantly greater in the plaque with intraplaque hemorrhage than in the plaque without intraplaque hemorrhage (11.84 ± 1.22% vs. 6.63 ± 0.59%, p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, positive expression of MMP-9 was an independent predictor of intraplaque hemorrhage (p=0.007). Conclusion: Vulnerable carotid plaques with distal embolism were created in a Swine model of carotid atherosclerosis. Increased expression of MMP-9 may be associated with vulnerable carotid plaques, especially having the feature of intraplaque hemorrhage.

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Effect of aortic arch type on technical indicators in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060518807604 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 682-688 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Songhe Shen ◽

Xiongjing Jiang ◽

Hui Dong ◽

Meng Peng ◽

Zhixue Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Contrast Agent ◽

Aortic Arch ◽

Carotid Artery Stenting ◽

Influential Factor ◽

Fluoroscopy Time ◽

Type I ◽

Technical Indicators ◽

Type Iii ◽

Guiding Catheter

Objective This study was performed to explore the effect of the aortic arch type on technical indicators in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods The data of 224 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral CAS from January 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The requirement for placement of the guiding catheter into the common carotid artery with assistance of an angiographic catheter, fluoroscopy time, contrast agent dose, and adverse events were recorded. Results The fluoroscopy time was significantly longer and the contrast agent dose was significantly higher in patients with Type III than Type I and II arches. Significantly more patients with Type III than Type I and II arches required placement of the guiding catheter with assistance of an angiographic catheter (46.2% vs. 15.0%, respectively). The procedural success rate was significantly lower in patients with Type III than Type I and II arches (96.2% vs. 100.0%, respectively). The incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and all types of stroke was significantly higher in patients with Type III than Type I and II arches (7.7% vs. 1.7%, respectively). Conclusions The aortic arch type is an important influential factor in CAS. Type III arches are associated with more difficulties and complications.

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