Insights into the pathophysiology and risk of clinical events in vascular disease using imaging

In atherosclerosis, inflammation, neovascularisation, hypoxia and calcification are drivers of plaque destabilisation and clinical events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Conventional x-ray angiography does not provide information about the extent of these processes in the arterial wall, and as a consequence is a poor predictor of future events.

The aim of our research is to use non-invasive imaging to answer four related questions. Firstly, can we quantify the degree of arterial inflammation? Secondly, can we track the effects of therapy on arterial inflammation? Thirdly, can we use imaging to inform about the biology of arterial disease, and finally, can imaging improve our predictions about the risk of future clinical events?

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Dweck, M. R., Khaw, H. J., Sng, G. K., Luo, E. L., Baird, A., Williams, M. C., . . . RUDD, J. H. F. and Newby, D. E. (2013). Aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis, and skeletal bone: is there a common link with calcification and inflammation?. Eur Heart J. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/eht034

Dweck, M. R., Joshi, N. V., RUDD, J. H. F., & Newby, D. E. (2013). Imaging of Inflammation and Calcification in Aortic Stenosis. Current Cardiology Reports, 15(1), 1-7. doi: 10.1007/s11886-012-0320-8

Mäki-Petäjä, K. M., Elkhawad, M., Cheriyan, J., Joshi, F. R., Ostör, A. J., Hall, F. C., . . . RUDD, J.H.*, Wilkinson, I. B.* (2012). Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy Reduces Aortic Inflammation and Stiffness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.. Circulation. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.120410

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