Site-targeted acoustic contrast agent detects molecular expression of tissue factor after balloon angioplasty

The concept of molecular imaging and localization of carotid arteries' tissue factor in vivo using a new, nanoparticulate emulsion is demonstrated. The enhancement of the visualization of the molecular expression of tissue factor could prove to be a prognostically important predictor of subsequent restenosis. Moreover, with the incorporation of specific drug treatments into the nanoparticulate contrast agent, ultrasonic molecular imaging may yield reliable detection and quantification of nascent pathologies and facilitate targeted drug therapy.