The pathobiology of the vessel wall: implications for imaging.

摘要

Recent therapeutic advances have led to a decrease in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite this reduction, vascular disease (mainly atherosclerosis) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. Further decreases in morbidity and mortality will be dependent on better application of the available preventive and therapeutic arsenal, progress in understanding pathobiology, and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for early and advanced disease. This review provides a brief introduction to vascular biology and pathobiology, which could form the basis for subsequent translation into the field of molecular imaging. It is my hope that the reader will be stimulated to think about novel imaging targets.