Human carotid atherosclerotic plaque characterization by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging

Abstract

Background and Aims: Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease that is characterized by the gradual build-up of lipids and inflammatory cells in the vascular wall, termed plaque. We hypothesize that specific lipid species can be correlated to plaque phenotype which could have implications for the development of new imaging technologies and new treatment strategies.