Comparison of fluorescence signals from thrombi and the surrounding atherosclerotic plaque in the experimental group.

<p>HCD + MMP-ACPP (a,b) and HCD + Thrombin-ACPP(c). The images from left to right in <b>a</b> are: closed view fluorescence image, opened and zoomed-in fluorescence/reflected images with the thrombus (green arrows) attached at its original site, opened and zoomed-in fluorescence/reflected images with the thrombus removed. The dark signal of the aorta on the reflected image comes from clotted blood and relatively healthy vessel wall (without obvious fatty streaks). Plaques appeared as brighter (gray-ish) signal. The bar graphs (b,c) give the statistical analysis of fluorescence signal for the underlying disrupted plaques (DP) and the overlaying thrombi (p<0.001).