Christian von Bary, Marcus Makowski, Anne Preissel, Alexandra Keithahn, Alice Warley, Elmar Spuentrup, Arno Buecker, Joel Lazewatsky, Richard Cesati, David Onthank, Nikolaus Schickl, Sylvia Schachoff, Jörg Hausleiter, Albert Schömig, Markus Schwaiger, Simon Robinson, René Botnar
BACKGROUND: The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis. Elastin is an essential component of the ECM. ECM degradation can lead to plaque destabilization, whereas enhanced synthesis typically leads to vessel wall remodeling resulting in arterial stenosis or in-stent restenosis after stent implantation. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of MRI of vascular remodeling using a novel elastin-binding contrast agent (BMS-753951)...
March 2011: Circulation. Cardiovascular Imaging