Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Detects Progression of Inflammation in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis

Introduction: Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI provides the ability to characterize tissue vascularity and permeability by measuring kinetic parameters such as the fractional plasma volume vp, the transfer constant Ktrans, or the area under the enhancement versus time curve (AUC). In atherosclerotic plaque, these parameters were found to be strongly influenced by inflammatory activity characterized by macrophages and associated neovessels [1-3]. Thus, DCE-MRI can be used to assess plaque inflammation, an important factor in determining which plaques will progress or lead to clinical complications. An unresolved question is whether DCE-MRI also responds to changes in plaque inflammation. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the progressive increase in macrophage content within a rabbit model of atherosclerosis from 13 to 26 weeks on atherogenic diet is associated with a corresponding increase in DCE-MRI parameters.