Atherosclerotic plaque temperature measurements with infrared fiber optic imaging

Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques-the main cause of heart attack and strokes-is not predictable. Fatal plaques are found at autopsies to be associated with active inflammatory cells. Classically, inflammation sites have been characterized by heat, swelling, red color and pain (color, tumor, rubor and dolor). We have demonstrated in vitro that heat accurately locates the dangerous plaques that are significantly warmer then those plaques without inflammation. In order to develop a non-surgical method of locating these plaques, an infrared fiber optic imaging methodology has been developed in our laboratory to evaluate the causes and effect of heat in atherosclerotic plaques. The temperature heterogeneity of atherosclerotic plaques developed in the arterial of the experimental animal models is under study with the new device. The preliminary experimental results from the animal model are encouraging. The potential of using this new technology in diagnostic evaluation of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques is considerable