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Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

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64 Danias<br />

tomography, among others. Excellent reviews <strong>of</strong> these new technologies have<br />

recently been published (4,5). Positron-emission-tomography (PET) has also been<br />

reported to visualize atherosclerotic plaque by way <strong>of</strong> selective FDG uptake at the<br />

vessel wall. This may be an indicator <strong>of</strong> increased metabolic activity at the plaque,<br />

and may carry additional prognostic information (6,7).<br />

Finally combination technologies are now being developed, whereby anatomic<br />

information is merged to functional-metabolic data. The most commonly used<br />

such technology is PET-CT, although PET-MRI, ultrasound-MRI and X-ray-MRI<br />

systems have been or are being developed. It is certain not only that the technological<br />

developments in the years to come will allow us to accurately evaluate<br />

the anatomic macroscopic appearance <strong>of</strong> the cardiovascular system, but also to get<br />

insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms <strong>of</strong> cardiovascular disease that can<br />

lead to more targeted therapeutic approaches.<br />

References<br />

1. Knollmann F, Pfoh A. Image in cardiovascular medicine. Coronary artery imaging with<br />

flat-panel computed tomography. Circulation 2003; 107(8):1209.<br />

2. Bock M, Volz S, Zuhlsdorff S, et al. MR-guided intravascular procedures: real-time<br />

parameter control and automated slice positioning with active tracking coils. J Magn<br />

Reson Imaging 2004; 19(5):580–589.<br />

3. Dick AJ, Raman VK, Raval AN, et al. Invasive human magnetic resonance imaging:<br />

feasibility during revascularization in a combined XMR suite. Catheter Cardiovasc<br />

Interv 2005; 64(3):265–274.<br />

4. Pasterkamp G, Falk E, Woutman H, Borst C. Techniques characterizing the coronary<br />

atherosclerotic plaque: influence on clinical decision making? J Am Coll Cardiol 2000;<br />

36(1):13–21.<br />

5. Davies JR, Rudd JH, Weissberg PL. Molecular and metabolic imaging <strong>of</strong> atherosclerosis.<br />

J Nucl Med 2004; 45(11):1898–1907.<br />

6. Tatsumi M, Cohade C, Nakamoto Y, Wahl RL. Fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the aortic<br />

wall at PET/CT: possible finding for active atherosclerosis. Radiology 2003;<br />

229(3):831–837.<br />

7. Okane K, Ibartaki M, Toyoshima H, et al. 18F-FDG accumulation in atherosclerosis:<br />

use <strong>of</strong> CT and MR co-registration <strong>of</strong> thoracic and carotid arteries. Eur J Nucl Med Mol<br />

Imaging 2006; 33(5):589–594.<br />

Editor’s Counterpoint<br />

Dr. Danias, in his superlative review <strong>of</strong> diagnostic imaging in aortic diseases,<br />

gently impugns the utility <strong>of</strong> the plain chest x-ray in thoracic aortic aneurysm and<br />

dissection. The Editor respectfully takes issue with this, believing that the plain<br />

film contributes immensely to the early diagnosis <strong>of</strong> aneurysm and dissection.<br />

The plain chest x-ray shows the contours <strong>of</strong> the thoracic aorta quite well,<br />

given the contrast between the air-filled lungs and the fluid-filled aorta. The normal<br />

contours <strong>of</strong> the aorta are quite familiar and generally very well seen (Figs. A and B).<br />

The ascending aorta, if substantially enlarged, will appear outside the upper right

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