Iron and Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance T2* as a Marker of Intraplaque Iron in Human Atherosclerosis

摘要

ObjectiveIron has been implicated in atherogenesis and plaque destabilization, while less is known regarding iron-related proteins in this disease. We compared ex vivo quantities to in vivo vessel wall T2*, which is a noncontrast magnetic resonance relaxation time that quantitatively shortens with increased tissue iron content. We also tested the hypothesis that carotid atherosclerosis patients have abnormal T2* times vs. controls that would help support a role for iron in human atherosclerosis.