We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




NIR Laser Helps Identify Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 29 Aug 2017
Print article
Image: An NIR autofluorescence of heme products can detect bleeding plaques (Photo courtesy of Karlheinz Peter).
Image: An NIR autofluorescence of heme products can detect bleeding plaques (Photo courtesy of Karlheinz Peter).
A new study suggests that near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence imaging could aid early detection of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques and intra-plaque hemorrhage.

In a study at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), the University of Warwick (Coventry, United Kingdom), and other institutions, researchers found that heme degradation products--particularly bilirubin--can be detected by increasing the wavelength of infrared (IR) illumination--currently used to detect fatty deposit build-up in arteries--to NIR wavelengths. In a mouse model, fluorescence emission computed tomography (CT) detected the NIR autofluorescence of heme products and intra-plaque bleeding via Raman spectroscopy.

Heme by-products, especially bilirubin, were only observed in unstable plaques with internal bleeding, and were not observed in the more stable fatty deposits. Similar results were seen when the researchers examined human carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens collected from patients who presented to the Alfred Hospital (Melbourne, Australia). According to the researchers, the improved selectivity for high-risk atherosclerotic deposits could help doctors to identify the most at-risk patients. The study was published on July 13, 2017, in Nature Communications.

“We realized when we shine a light in the near-infrared wavelength range, that this light is reflected at a certain wavelength. So in a way we can use laser light to shine up the plaques that are unstable, and it's very characteristic,” said senior author Karlheinz Peter, MD, of Monash University. “After further investigation with clinical trials, this method of imaging technique could be used to assess unstable fatty arterial plaques, and could be used to monitor the effectiveness of the drugs used to prevent heart attacks or strokes.”

Bilirubin is the yellow pigmented breakdown product of normal heme catabolism, caused by the body's clearance of aged red blood cells (RBCs), which contain hemoglobin. It is excreted in bile and urine, and elevated levels may indicate certain diseases. Bilirubin is responsible for the yellow color of bruises and the yellow discoloration in jaundice. It is also responsible for the brown color of feces, via its conversion to stercobilin, and the background straw-yellow color of urine via its breakdown product, urobilin.

Related Links:
Monash University
University of Warwick
Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
New
Ultrasound Software
UltraExtend NX
New
Ultrasound Needle Guide
Ultra-Pro II
New
Oncology Information System
RayCare

Print article

Channels

Radiography

view channel
:	Image: The AI model could be a valuable adjunct to human radiologists in breast cancer diagnoses and risk prediction (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Model Predicts 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk from Mammograms

Approximately 13% of U.S. women, or one in every eight, are predicted to develop invasive breast cancer over their lifetime, with 1 in 39 women (3%) succumbing to the illness, according to the American... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: The AI system uses scintigraphy imaging for early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI System Automatically and Reliably Detects Cardiac Amyloidosis Using Scintigraphy Imaging

Cardiac amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits (amyloids) in the heart muscle, severely affects heart function and can lead to heart failure or death without... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: The CIARTIC Move self-driving mobile C-arm has received FDA clearance (Photo courtesy of Siemens)

Self-Driving Mobile C-Arm Reduces Imaging Time during Surgery

Intraoperative imaging faces significant challenges due to staff shortages and the high demands placed on surgical teams in the operating room (OR). A common challenge during many OR procedures is the... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: Samsung Medison CEO Mr. Yongkwan Kim and Bracco Imaging CEO Dr. Fulvio Renoldi Bracco endorsed a MoU agreement (Photo courtesy of Bracco Group)

Samsung and Bracco Enter Into New Diagnostic Ultrasound Technology Agreement

Samsung Medison (Seoul, South Korea) and Bracco Imaging (Milan, Italy) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement to pioneer a new area for diagnostic ultrasound devices and contrast agents.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.