Drew A. Torigian, MD

A noninvasive technique to detect vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is critically needed. Formation of atherosclerotic plaque is a dynamic inflammatory process that involves interactions between atherogenic lipoproteins and macrophages. As vulnerable plaques are usually numerous, extending beyond the culprit plaque and involving multiple vessels, targeting a single plaque underestimates the complexity and extent of disease. Thus, an ideal imaging modality should be able to identify the vulnerable arterial bed and, therefore, the vulnerable patient, to prevent the serious complications of atherosclerosis.

Imaging in medicine dates its origin to 1895, when Roentgen discovered the x-ray. This exciting and novel technology opened an unprecedented era in medicine, which continued through the 20th century and remains a major element of the day-to-day practice of radiology. Limited, modest efforts made during the mid-20th century to employ tomographic methodologies eventually led to the introduction of x-ray CT by Sir Godfrey Hounsfield in 1973.