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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1997;17:1496-1503.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

In Vitro and In Situ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Features of Atherosclerotic Plaque-Associated Lipids

Chun Yuan; Christopher Petty; Kevin D. O'Brien; Thomas S. Hatsukami; Janet F. Eary; ; B. Greg Brown

From the Diagnostic Imaging Sciences Center, Department of Radiology (C.Y., C.P., J.F.E.), the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (K.D.O., B.G.B.), and the Department of Surgery (T.S.H.), University of Washington, Seattle.

Correspondence to Chun Yuan, PhD, Diagnostic Imaging Sciences Center, Department of Radiology, Box 357115, University of Washington, 1959 Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195-7115. E-mail cyuan{at}u.washington.edu

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal features of the different types of lipids found in human atherosclerotic plaques. A 1.5-T SIGNA scanner was used to acquire T1-, T2-, and proton density– weighted data at four different temperatures for individual lipids and lipid mixtures designed to replicate the proportions of lipids found in plaques. Individual lipids and lipid mixtures were scanned both in a test tube and after implantation in the media of normal porcine aortas. Each of the three broad classes of lipids (triglycerides, unesterified and esterified cholesterol, and phospholipids) had different and distinct MR signal patterns, which allowed discrimination of these classes of lipids in vitro. Further, lipid implantation studies demonstrated that these distinct MR signal patterns could be used to readily distinguish each lipid type from surrounding porcine aortic media. MR signals from lipid mixtures demonstrated marked regional heterogeneity, similar to the heterogeneous lipid distribution characteristic of human atherosclerotic plaques. In summary, MR signals from lipid mixtures that mimic plaque lipid proportions can be detected at body temperature, especially in those mixtures with an increased percentage of cholesteryl esters. These studies raise the possibility that with further advances in technology, MRI may become a useful tool for determining the lipid content and composition of human atherosclerotic plaques in vivo.

Key Words: magnetic resonance imaging • lipids • atherosclerosis

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