Abstract #2175

Wright G, Butany J, Bitar R, Munce N, Leung G, Moody A

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) has been seen as a critical factor in the destabilization and rupture of a vulnerable arterial plaque. 4 coronary arteries and 2 vein grafts were obtained from patients who died of acute myocardial infarction. MR imaging of these ex-vivo specimens revealed two foci of IPH which were detected with histopathology. Initial results suggest that MRI can be used to aid in post mortem identification of culprit atherosclerotic lesions.