This document describes models of human carotid arteries that can be used for quality control in clinical trials evaluating atherosclerotic lesions with MRI endpoints. The models are made from cadaveric human carotid arteries and have attributes that closely resemble real carotid arteries, including different stages of atherosclerotic lesions. The models are housed in holders that are compatible with MRI and allow imaging of indexed sites for reproducible measurements over time. Documentation is provided on the composition and imaging of the models to serve as standards for intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons.

1. Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesion Models
for Quality Control
of Clinical Trials
with MRI Endpoints
William Insull, M.D., Gareth Adams, B.S.
Cassius Bordelon, Ph.D. and Joel Morrisett, Ph.D.
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston,Texas

2. The Model Attributes
should closely resemble those of human carotid
arteries in terms of:
a) gross and microscopic structure and dimensions
b) spatial distribution of principal components
c) chemical composition of principal components
d) presence of normal and atherosclerotic tissues
e) presence of all stages of atherosclerotic lesions
f) identifiable zones of transition from normal to
atherosclerotic regions for indexing lesion
initiation, development, and growth

3. Model Attributes (continued)
g) identifiable major lesion types for indexing lesion changes and the
effects of treatment (retardation, stabilization, regression)
h) defined sites for replicate measures, whose locations are referenced to
the carotid bifurcation or an external marker
i) gross dimensions, histology, and chemical composition at reference
sites as defined by accepted independent measurements
(e.g. X-ray, raman, infrared spectroscopies)
j) multiple reference sites indexed for easy use
k) stability for extended time periods (e.g. years) in chemical
composition, and gross and microscopic morphology

4. The Model Holder
should:
a) have clear identification permanently attached
b) allow easy access to indexed sites
c) provide mounting that makes the model resistant to normal wear
d) be compatible with conventional and state-of-the-art MRI
instrumentation
e) be amenable to convenient handling and shipping
f) have attached instructions for handling by the user

5. Model Documentation
should provide:
a) accurate description of the gross and histological
composition, with location of defined, indexed referenced sites
for rapid orientation in scanning and measurement
b) an atlas of acceptable images
c) specifications for MR image acquisition at indexed
reference sites
d) defined quality control parameters with the accepted “in
control” range
e) periodic verification of stability of MRI characteristics
performed by the reference laboratory
f) life history of the model

6. CCA
BIF
ICA
ECA
Cadaveric human carotid artery used for Reference Standard
Tissue was perfusion fixed at mean arterial pressure before excision.
Most of the periadventitial tissue has been removed. The common
carotid artery (CCA), bifurcation (BIF), external carotid artery (ECA),
and internal carotid artery (ICA) are clearly seen.

7. Cadaveric Carotid Specimens
( models of the native carotid arteries)
-contain intima, media, adventitia, and
some perivascular soft tissue
-enable study of range of lesion types
-allow comparison of left/right carotids
-give reproducible images over >1 year
-provide stable reference for:
-intra-laboratory standardization
-inter-laboratory standardization
for multicenter clinical trials

8. Holder for imaging cadaveric carotid tissues.
The tubes (3.0cm diameter) are secured in four holes drilled in a plastic insert (8.0cm diameter)
fabricated from two 100ml plastic beakers fastened top-to-top by superglue. The insert is
placed in a larger plastic bottle (12.0cm diameter, 22.0cm tall) fitted with a water inlet at the
bottom and outlet at the top for temperature control. A pair of phased array coils (6cm Ultra
Image/Pathway) is fastened around the outside of the larger outer bottle with velcro strips.
Tissues are imaged in a GE Horizon 1.5T clinical MRI system with 10cm FOV, 2 NEX,
3mm slice thickness. TR/TE for the different contrast sequences: 3000/34 (PDW), 650/14
(T1W), and 3000/108 (T2W).

9. 1.5T MR images of left and right human cadaveric carotid arteries
above, at, and below their bifurcation.
The plaque within each tissue slice (red area) has been identified by a
semi-automatic algorithm. 3D reconstructions from multiple slices are
used to calculate the aggregate volumes.

10. PDW
T1W
T2W
MR images of human cadaveric carotids acquired on a GE Horizon
LX 1.5T system fitted with UltraImage/Pathway phased array coils (also
used for human carotid studies in vivo). The slices (3mm) begin
at the bifurcation (left) and descend to the common carotid artery (right).
Proton density-, T1-, and T2- weighted images show plaque heterogeneity