Treatment of vulnerable plaque using combined high-density lipoprotein and pentostatin- loaded microbubbles- mediated shock wave sonoporation therapy: Evaluation with positron emission tomography imaging and histopathology

Abstract

Background and Aims : The rupture of vulnerable atherosclerosis and the subsequent formation of thrombi are the main factors responsible for myocardial infarctions. Macrophages are responsible for the prevalence of inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, we developed a shock wave sonoporation therapy system and investigated its effect on advanced atherosclerosis regression using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.