Heart rate lowering treatment leads to a reduction in vulnerable plaque features in atherosclerotic rabbits.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the effect of a heart rate (HR) lowering agent (Ivabradine) on features of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging, and histology.

Approach and results

Atherosclerosis was induced in the abdominal aorta of 19 rabbits. Nine rabbits were treated with Ivabradine (17 mg/kg/day) during the entire study period. At week 14, imaging was performed. Plaque size was quantified on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images. Microvascular flow, density, and permeability was studied with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Plaque biomechanics was studied by measuring the aortic distension with ultrasound. After, animals were sacrificed and histology was performed. HR was reduced by 16% (p = 0.026) in Ivabradine-treate

SUBMITTER: van Hoof RHM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5480870 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature