Atherosclerotic plaque detection in a cross-section of the aortic arch, including the effect of Gd-loaded micelles.

<p>A. Ten movie frames of a cross section of the aortic arch are generated. The black blood images used for positive contrast agent detection in the aortic arch are typically as those in image 6–8 (underlined). Circles indicate the region of the aortic arch cross section. White blood images 1–3 (dashed line), were used for the analysis of negative contrast agents B. A cross section of the aortic arch is shown before injection of micelles. Presumptive plaque regions are difficult to discriminate (arrow). C. Cross section of the aortic arch 12 hours after injection of micelles shows contrast enhancement on the basis of the aortic arch (arrow) D. Contrast to Noise Ratio (D1) and delta CNR (D2) of atherosclerotic plaques on the inner curvature of the aortic arch in 3 months old and 12–14 months old ApoE^−/− mice on a western diet.