Magnetic resonance imaging of cells labeled with iron oxides: Utility in cardiovascular medicine Book Chapter

Martinez, C, Ramaswamy, S. (2012). Magnetic resonance imaging of cells labeled with iron oxides: Utility in cardiovascular medicine . 133-150.

cited authors

  • Martinez, C; Ramaswamy, S

authors

abstract

  • The ability to accurately visualize and monitor disease progression in cardiac structures, such as the myocardium, arteries and heart valves through noninvasive and nondestructive imaging modalities has traditionally been used to provide invaluable information to the clinician on charting a patient-specific treatment approach. Rapid software and hardware advancements in the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are likely to enable enhanced resolution and clarity in detecting disease progression at an earlier stage, which would also permit earlier interventions. In the last decade, several research efforts in emerging areas of cardiovascular medicine have focused on cell and tissue engineering therapies to treat disease. The ability to track the migratory activity of cells and monitor tissue re-modeling activity in vivo using MRI would be of utmost value in determining the efficacy of the treatment approach. Cells would need to be labeled with an appropriate contrast agent to permit their visualization. Ferumoxide usage in this regard has been investigated extensively and has consistently been shown to be safe to use and provide sustained contrast by way of hypointense signal voids. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) magnetic particles can be imaged with T2z.ast;, T2, T1, steady-state free precession and off-resonance MRI methodologies. In this chapter, we review the utility of ferumoxides in cell and tissue engineering based treatment strategies proposed in cardiovascular medicine. © 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • October 1, 2012

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 133

end page

  • 150