PURPOSE: To assess the potential role of intravascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with receiver coils mounted to an inflatable balloon in characterizing @entity731 plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve @entity1 @entity1347 with @entity731 changes were studied with a 5-F imaging balloon catheter equipped with a single-loop wire receiver coil. Imaging was performed with an open-configuration 0.5-T (n = 6) or a 1.5-T (n = 6) MR system, with T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Histologic analysis was the reference standard, and MR images were analyzed with regard to vessel wall thickness, @entity527 , and components. RESULTS: Images acquired at 1.5 T were characterized by better in-plane resolution (117 x 104 microm). Resolution at 0.5 T (234 x 178 microm) was sufficient to discriminate the wall layers. On T2-weighted images, adventitia, media, and thickened intima could be discriminated. T1-weighted images did not permit differentiation between wall layers. There was good correlation between MR and histologic measurements of wall thickness (r = .97) and @entity527 (r = .98). Plaque characterization was possible on T2-weighted images. Calcified plaque was identified as areas of low signal intensity (134 +/- 98) and could be differentiated from fibrous structures containing collagen (1,968 +/- 680) or fatty components (762 +/- 394). CONCLUSION: Intravascular MR imaging on the basis of the balloon catheter design enables differentiation of wall layers and plaque components.

Intravascular MR imaging of XXXX plaque: ex vivo analysis of @entity1 femoral arteries with histologic correlation.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerotic'] @entity527 :: ('MESH:D058225', 'Disease') :: ['plaque area'] @entity1347 :: ('MESH:C537775', 'Disease') :: ['harvested segmental femoral arteries']
@entity731 :: (MESH:D050197,Disease) :: ['atherosclerotic']
