This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lindner, J. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lindner, J. R.

Molecular Imaging of Myocardial and Vascular Disorders With Ultrasound

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Jonathan R. Lindner, Cardiovascular Division UHN-62, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239 (Email: lindnerj{at}ohsu.edu).

Methods for noninvasive imaging of specific disease-related molecular changes are being developed in order to expand and improve diagnostic capabilities and to enhance therapeutic decision making in the clinical setting. These new techniques have also started to be incorporated into research programs in order to better characterize pathophysiology or evaluate treatment efficacy. Molecular imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasound relies on the detection of the acoustic signal produced by either microbubbles or other acoustically active particulate agents that are targeted to sites of disease. This review describes the progress that has been made in the development and testing of methods for contrast ultrasound molecular imaging of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, topics that will be addressed include: 1) the bioengineering and detection schemes for targeted probes; 2) specific disease processes (myocardial ischemia, atherosclerosis, and transplant rejection) where molecular imaging may play a role; and 3) the potential role of ultrasound as a molecular imaging technique.

Key Words: contrast ultrasound • microbubbles • molecular imaging

Abbreviations and Acronyms   CEU = contrast-enhanced ultrasound   ECAM = endothelial cell adhesion molecule   ICAM-1 = intercellular adhesion molecule-1   mAb = monoclonal antibody   VCAM-1 = vascular cell adhesion molecule-1

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. M. Caplice and K. Martin Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and the Enigma of Plaque Neovascularization J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Img., December 1, 2010; 3(12): 1273 - 1275. [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. S. Kerwin Noninvasive Imaging of Plaque Inflammation: Role of Contrast-Enhanced MRI J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Img., November 1, 2010; 3(11): 1136 - 1138. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. H. Marwick and J. Narula Contrast Echocardiography: Over-Achievement in Research, Under-Achievement in Practice? J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Img., February 1, 2010; 3(2): 224 - 225. [Full Text] [PDF]