Detection of Early Fatty Plaque Using Quantitative Ultrasound Methods

Atherosclerosis, together with associated cardiovascular disease is the number one health problem in the United States today. Although currently available techniques, such as angiography and ultrasound imaging are useful in detecting advanced stages of the disease process (by detecting luminal narrowing caused by atherosclerotic lesions), these techniques have serious limitations in the detection of early atherosclerosis (since encroachment of the lumen is minimal in the initial stages of the atherosclerotic process). Moreover, none of the current diagnostic techniques are capable of characterizing the lesion as to type. Such information, now only available through surgical intervention is important to the planning of an appropriate clinical treatment course. In addition, the invasive nature of angiography and its potential complications have inherent disadvantages when asymptomatic patients are to be studied.