Molecular imaging is non-invasive visualization and measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular level within a living organism. This review provides a description of the various molecular imaging techniques for imaging cardiovascular targets and their potential clinical implications. Molecular imaging has relied mainly on nuclear imaging, but advances in nanoparticle probe...

Atherosclerosis is characterized by thickening of the walls of the arteries, a process that occurs slowly and 'silently' over decades. This prolonged course of disease provides a window of opportunity for diagnosis before symptoms occur. But, until recently, only advanced atherosclerotic disease could be observed. Now, developments in imaging technology offer many enticing prospects, including ...

Do molecularly-targeted contrast agents have what it takes to usher in a paradigm shift as to how we will image cardiovascular disease in the near future? Moreover, are non-invasive vulnerable plaque detection and preemptive treatments with these novel nanoparticulate agents within reach for clinical applications? In this article, we attempt to make a compelling case for how the advent of molec...

OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether T1 mapping by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) reflects the clinical evolution of disease in myocarditis and supports its diagnosis independently of the disease stages. BACKGROUND Acute viral myocarditis is characterized by a range of intracellular changes due to viral replication and extracellular spill of debris within days of viral infection. Conval...

Molecular imaging aims at sensing specific molecular targets, fundamental biological processes, and certain cell types in living subjects. An integrative discipline rooted in the biological, chemical, and imaging sciences, molecular imaging has broad applications in biology and drug discovery1–5 and increasingly within cardiovascular disease.6–12 Before discussing key factors spurring the growt...

INTRODUCTION: The use of parallel imaging for cardiovascular application has become virtually ubiquitous. Substantial progress since the Zurich Parallel Imaging Workshop held in 2004 has led to improved image quality, reduced exam times, and reduced breath-hold duration. Real-time imaging may be used for free-breathing studies and in patients with arrhythmias or heart rate variation. Cardiac MR...

Interventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (iCMR) refers to catheter-based therapeutic procedures using MRI rather than conventional radiographic guidance. iCMR promises to further blur the distinction between medical and surgical therapeutics by permitting surgical-quality “exposure” in minimally invasive procedures. Catheter-based procedures conducted without x-rays may be usefu...

Because of the success of new, potent antiretroviral therapy, life expectancy has significantly improved among HIV-infected patients. However, an opposite trend has been noted for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with HIV. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have increased since 1999, and CVD has become a significant public health issue among HIV-infected patients in whom rates of...

Over the past 2 decades, we have witnessed an explosive expansion in the armamentarium of noninvasive and invasive imaging technologies capable of providing detailed information about the structure and function of the heart and vasculature. Many of these technologies are integrative (eg, positron emission tomography and computed tomography, positron emission tomography and MRI), thereby compoun...

Cardiovascular disease (CAD) screening in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus is controversial. An exercise stress test is a safe and effective initial testing for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) screening. Treadmill stress test is not the best screening method for a particular patient who is not able to exercise, abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) or positive exercise treadmill test (ETT) ...