Open AccessMulti-parameter characterization of atherosclerotic plaques based on optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic and viscoelasticity imaging
Author(s) -
Pingping Wang,
Zhongjiang Chen,
Da Xing
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.390874
Subject(s) - optical coherence tomography , fibrous cap , photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine , materials science , viscoelasticity , intravascular ultrasound , vulnerable plaque , biomedical engineering , optics , preclinical imaging , ultrasound , radiology , medicine , pathology , in vivo , physics , composite material , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Detection of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is the critical step in prevention of acute coronary events. Fibrous cap thickness, lipid core size, and inflammation extent are three key parameters for assessing plaque vulnerability. Here, we report on multimodality imaging of mice aortic plaques using a system that integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and photoacoustic viscoelasticity imaging (PAVEI). The thickness of fibrous cap is accurately evaluated by OCT, and PAI helps to determine the distribution and size of lipid core. The mechanical properties of plaques are closely related to the plaque compositions and the content and distribution of macrophages, while PAVEI can characterize the plaque viscoelasticity through the phase delay of photoacoustic signal. Experimental results demonstrate that the OCT-PAI-PAVEI system can comprehensively characterize the three traits of atherosclerotic plaques, thereby identifying high-risk lesions.