Plaque Imaging Using Black-blood MRI

Abstract

The risk of future ischemic events, such as angiographically determined stenosis and ulceration, in patients with atherosclerosis has long been mainly assessed using luminal morphology. However, recent remarkable advances in vessel wall imaging combined with a deeper understanding of vascular biology have shown that vessel wall characteristics also have a considerable influence on the onset of ischemic events. Among the modalities for vessel wall imaging, such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI, MRI is useful for plaque characterization because of its high accuracy and less invasiveness. Several features of vulnerable plaques, such as intraplaque hemorrhage, large lipid-rich necrotic cores, and ruptured fibrous caps, can be observed using contemporary high-resolution MRI. The assessment of plaque characteristics is essential for the management of atherosclerosis. In this article, the current status of carotid plaque characterization using black-blood MRI will be briefly highlighted, and potential clinical implications of MRI plaque imaging will be demonstrated.