E. Aikawa — Cardiovascular Imaging (2015)

Автор: E. Aikawa
Название книги: Cardiovascular Imaging (2015)
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Медицина
Страницы: 394
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

In the twenty-first century, molecular or functional imaging has provided a new frontier for advancing the field of cardiovascular imaging. This approach joins the traditional quest for defining structure and physiologic function with advances in understanding the cells and molecules involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Molecular imaging weds basic science discoveries to imaging in a manner that promises to transform cardiovascular medicine and science.
This volume edited by Elena Aikawa provides us with an updated and comprehensive overview of this promising landscape. Much of the initial foray into the application of molecular imaging to cardiovascular diseases targeted atherosclerosis, which is the subject of Part I of this book. After a masterful review of the basic pathobiological mechanisms at play in atherosclerosis (Chap. 1 ), a series of authoritative chapters reviews modalities ranging from contrast enhanced ultrasound (Chap. 2 ), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Chap. 3 ), and optical approaches such as near-infrared fl uorescence and optical coherence tomography (Chaps. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 ). Various chapters emphasize different pathophysiologic targets such as infl ammation (Chap. 5 ), endothelial activation (Chap. 2 ), macrophage activity (Chap. 3 ), protease activity (Chap. 4 ), oxidation and lipid content (Chap. 6 ), thrombosis (Chap. 8 ), and calcification (Chap. 5 .) The laboratory applications of intravital microscopy that have proven of immense value to cardiovascular researchers also receive expert discussion in this part (Chap. 7 ).
The second part of this book delves more deeply into the imaging of calcification as applied particularly to cardiac valves, an area that has evolved far beyond the fluorographic estimation of calcifi cation in cardiac structures by traditional roentgenography. Long-regarded as a passive degenerative process, we now appreciate the active nature of calcifi cation, its relation to infl ammation (a special interest of Dr. Aikawa herself), and its importance not only in atherosclerosis, but also in the growing epidemic of sclerocalcifi c aorticvalvular disease. After an authoritative and up-to-date review of the pathobiology of aortic valve calcifi cation (Chap. 9 ), a report on work from the Edinburgh group on fluoride imaging sheds new light on the investigation of calcifi cation as an active process in humans (Chap. 10 ). Other chapters by established experts focus on the well-validated use of ultrasound in the imaging of aortic valve disease in humans (Chap. 11 ), and on experimental approaches to the imaging of microcalcification (Chap. 12 .) Indeed, foci of microcalcification not only provide a nidus for the growth of calcium mineral deposits in cardiovascular structures but may also have important biomechanical consequences that relate to the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.
The third part strives to illustrate the clinical applications of molecular and functional imaging to the cardiovascular system. This includes expert reviews on MRI of atherosclerosis (Chap. 13 ), positron emission tomography (PET) in coronary artery disease (Chap. 14 ), and the use of PET combined with computed tomography for the clinical imaging of infl ammation and anti-infl ammatory interventions as well as calcifi cation (Chaps. 15 and 16 .)