Increased vascular permeability is a surrogate marker of atherosclerotic plaque instability

Background Hypercholesterolemia promotes endothelial dysfunction and neovascularization, which increase net vascular permeability and promote atherosclerosis. We have previously reported that gadofosveset, a clinically approved albumin-binding MR contrast agent, can be used to assess endothelial permeability, plaque progression/ regression in a murine model of atherosclerosis. Here, we used gadofosveset to investigate the effect of vascular permeability on plaque instability in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.