The Significance of Vascular Intima Temperature Difference on Identification of Vulnerable Plaque in Rabbit Abdominal Aorta

Aim To evaluate the diagonostic value of vascular intima temperature difference on vulnerable plaque in rabbit abdominal aorta.Methods To establish vulnerable plaque model,twenty male New Zealand white rabbits received intra-aorta balloon inflation to induce vascular injury and were fed with lipid rich diet for the next 16 weeks.The survival rabbits were given with Chinese Russell’s viper venom and histamine to induce the rupture of plaque and the formation of thrombosis.The temperature difference of vascular intima between plaque and surrounding tissue were measured.Results 16 rabbits models were successfully established,in which there were 24 abdominal aortic plaques.A total of 54 plaque surface temperature measurement temperature difference were measured.17 vulnerable plaque characteristics which were found in 14 rabbits,and received a total of 37 temperature difference measurements.Seven plaques with fibrous plaque characteristics were observed in six rabbits,and received 17 temperature different measurements.4 non-plaque areas received 9 temperature different measurements.Mean intima temperature difference was 0.94 ± 0.25℃ in valnerable plaque,which was significantly different(P 0.01) from that in fibrous plaques(0.15 ± 0.14℃) and that in non-plaque areas(0.10 ±0.08℃).Identification of rabbit atherosclerosis vulnerable plaque of sensitivity and specificity were 86.5% and 85.2% respectively,when vascular intima surface temperature difference is greater than 0.3℃.Conclusion Measurements of vascular intima surface temperature difference could help to identify vulnerable plaque.