Ala-Korpela Mika, Sipola Petri, Kaski Kimmo
Laboratory of Computational Engineering, Systems Biology and Bioinformation Technology, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland.
Ann Med. 2006;38(5):322-36. doi: 10.1080/07853890600862418.
This review focuses on recent non-invasive or minimally invasive magnetic resonance (MR) approaches to study atherothrombosis. The potential benefits of combining diverse metabolic information obtained by the variety of MR techniques from tissues in vivo and ex vivo and from body fluids in vitro are also briefly discussed. A well established methodology is available for lipoprotein subclass quantification from plasma by 1H MR spectroscopy providing information for assessing the long-term risk of atherosclerosis. Multi-contrast MR imaging in vivo relying on endogenous contrast allows partial characterization of components in atherothrombotic plaques. The use of exogenous contrast agents in MR angiography enhances blood-tissue contrast and provides functional information on plaque metabolism, improving plaque characterization and assessment of plaque vulnerability by MR imaging. Recent applications of molecular targeted MR imaging have revealed novel opportunities for specific early detection of atherothrombotic processes, such as angiogenesis and accumulation of macrophages. Currently, MR imaging and spectroscopy can produce such metabolic in vivo and in vitro information that in combination could facilitate the screening, identification and follow-up of cardiovascularly vulnerable patients in research settings. The recent developments imply that in the near future MR techniques will be part of clinical protocols for individual diagnostics in atherothrombosis.
本综述聚焦于近期用于研究动脉粥样硬化血栓形成的非侵入性或微创磁共振（MR）方法。还简要讨论了将通过多种MR技术从体内和体外组织以及体外体液获得的各种代谢信息相结合的潜在益处。有一种成熟的方法可通过1H MR光谱对血浆中的脂蛋白亚类进行定量，从而为评估动脉粥样硬化的长期风险提供信息。体内基于内源性对比剂的多对比MR成像能够部分表征动脉粥样硬化血栓斑块中的成分。MR血管造影中使用外源性对比剂可增强血液与组织的对比，并提供有关斑块代谢的功能信息，通过MR成像改善斑块表征和斑块易损性评估。分子靶向MR成像的近期应用揭示了早期特异性检测动脉粥样硬化血栓形成过程（如血管生成和巨噬细胞聚集）的新机会。目前，MR成像和光谱能够生成这样的体内和体外代谢信息，这些信息相结合可在研究环境中促进对心血管易损患者的筛查、识别和随访。近期的进展表明，在不久的将来，MR技术将成为动脉粥样硬化血栓形成个体诊断临床方案的一部分。
