Optical Coherence Tomography To Detect Macrophages In Atheroma In Vivo
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optical Coherence Tomography to Detect Ferumoxytol-labelled Macrophages in Coronary Atheroma In Vivo
IRAS ID
158832
Contact name
Nicholas Cruden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Research summary
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture leading to a heart attack remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western World. Inflammatory cells known as macrophages are thought to play a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and heart attacks but our understanding remains limited by difficulties in visualising these small cells (20-80µm) within the heart circulation in man.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a novel light-based imaging technique that can be used within coronary blood vessels to provide detailed anatomical information with an axial resolution ~12-15µm. Early clinical data has suggested that the OCT may be a useful technique for the detection of macrophages in vivo in coronary blood vessels (Macneill et al. JACC 2004;44:972–979). Ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) are small particles of iron (˜30 nm) taken up predominantly by macrophages that, in combination with magnetic resonance imaging, have been used to assess vascular cellular inflammation in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (Richards et al. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2011;4:274-281). Histological examination has confirmed colocalization of USPIO to areas with macrophage infiltration.The aims of this study are to determine whether USPIO administration enhances macrophage detection in coronary atheroma using OCT and to examine whether macrophage densities are greater in the culprit coronary plaque compared to stable coronary plaque in patients with myocardial infarction.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
14/SS/1020
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion