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Advanced Peripheral Artery Vessel Wall Imaging and Future Directions

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Vessel Based Imaging Techniques

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Abstract

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is considered the gold standard imaging modality for initial diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The ABI has limited utility for assessing arterial wall disease. We will review the current imaging techniques presently used for vessel wall imaging including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). IVUS historically was the gold standard for evaluation of the vascular wall and lumen. However, it has been shown that IVUS is not suitable in the peripheral vasculature in the setting of extensive vessel wall calcifications. MRI has largely replaced IVUS, and most recent techniques in PAD have focused on non-contrast sequences of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) as it is a suitable vessel for high-resolution plaque imaging and is the most common site of lower extremity atherosclerosis. These new techniques set the stage for larger clinical trials studying SFA plaque characteristics and outcomes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Adrián I. Löffler

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Christopher M. Kramer

Authors
  1. Adrián I. Löffler
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  2. Christopher M. Kramer
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Correspondence to Christopher M. Kramer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Chun Yuan

  2. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Thomas S. Hatsukami

  3. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Mahmud Mossa-Basha

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Löffler, A.I., Kramer, C.M. (2020). Advanced Peripheral Artery Vessel Wall Imaging and Future Directions. In: Yuan, C., Hatsukami, T., Mossa-Basha, M. (eds) Vessel Based Imaging Techniques . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25249-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25249-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-25248-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-25249-6

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