Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of atherosclerotic structures in order to diagnose or prevent atherosclerosis are provided herein. In particular, it has been found that methylene blue injected intravenously acts as an excellent indicator because the compound targets high-risk plaque, atheroma, macrophages, and other atherosclerotic structures formed within the endothelial walls of a vessel of a subject. Because the compound provides a unique binding profile with uptake only in plaque or atheroma, and not the normal or healthy vascular interstitial tissue, methylene blue maintains a good plaque-to-background ratio for imaging purposes. This enables healthcare providers to determine the status of atherosclerosis development in vivo within a patient with higher certainty and at lower costs. The disclosed methods allow for high-resolution mapping of plaque build-up, plaque pathobiology, and other atherosclerotic structures within a vessel of a subject by using methylene blue as an imaging agent.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of atherosclerotic structures in order to diagnose or prevent atherosclerosis are provided herein. In particular, it has been found that methylene blue injected intravenously acts as an excellent indicator because the compound targets high-risk plaque, atheroma, macrophages, and other atherosclerotic structures formed within the endothelial walls of a vessel of a subject. Because the compound provides a unique binding profile with uptake only in plaque or atheroma, and not the normal or healthy vascular interstitial tissue, methylene blue maintains a good plaque-to-background ratio for imaging purposes. This enables healthcare providers to determine the status of atherosclerosis development in vivo within a patient with higher certainty and at lower costs. The disclosed methods allow for high-resolution mapping of plaque build-up, plaque pathobiology, and other atherosclerotic structures within a vessel of a subject by using methylene blue as an imaging agent.