Isabel Dregely1, Christine Baumgartner2, Eliane Weidl1, Stephan G. Nekolla1, Carl Ganter3, Jaroslav Pelisek4, Markus Schwaiger1, Iina Laitinen1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU Mnchen, Munich, Bavaria, Germany; 2Centre of Preclinical Research, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU Mnchen, Munich, Bavaria, Germany; 3Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU Mnchen, Munich, Bavaria, Germany; 4Clinic for Vascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU Mnchen, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
In atherosclerosis characterization of the so-called vulnerable plaque, which is at risk for disruption, is critical to predict acute adverse events. In this study we demonstrate the ability to identify complex, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model of carotid artery atherosclerosis combining morphological and functional information in simultaneous PET/MR imaging.