Cardiovascular Science
Early detection of atherosclerosis / cardiac dysfunction and imaging diseases progression
The major long-term goals of the jointly executed research activities of the cardiovascular programme within DiMI are:
- to establish a molecular imaging toolbox of new non-invasive diagnostic tests for in vivo identification of molecular targets being characteristic and relevant in various cardiovascular diseases;
- to develop molecular imaging approaches for non-invasive monitoring of novel molecular therapies for cardiovascular disease;
- to use these molecular imaging tools for translational research from animal models to clinical application to increase possibilities and effectiveness of cardiovascular therapy, and finally;
- to use these molecular imaging tools for monitoring of disease progression, risk stratification and assessment of therapeutic efficacy in the clinical setting.
Current areas of major development in cardiovascular disease are included in the DiMI programme, and comprise:
- biological characterization of atherosclerotic plaques;
- myocardial ischemia and angiogenesis as a pathophysiological and therapeutic target;
- the usage of cell transplantation for preservation and restitution of myocardial and vascular integrity.
