Characterization of Plaque with SWI Approach: Ex Vivo Study

David Muccigrosso¹, Adil Bashir¹, Dongsi Lu¹, Jie Zheng¹

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) can be used to image vessel wall and calcification with less flow artifacts and partial volume effect. The study is to explore the role of SWI approach in the characterization of various major plaque components. Plaque phantoms, coronary artery specimens, and endarterectomy carotid artery specimens were investigated using 3D SWI sequence. Phase images show clear differentiation of hemorrhage and calcification. The finding indicates possibility to use SWI technique to correctly segment major plaque components.