Figure 1 | Scientific Reports

Figure 1

From: Ultra-high-resolution 3D imaging of atherosclerosis in mice with synchrotron differential phase contrast: a proof of concept study

Figure 1

Three-dimensional DPC imaging of an ex-vivo ApoE−/− mouse heart.

(A–C) The three principal axes of the heart give a clear overview of the global structure of the heart. The enlarged insets demonstrate the excellent contrast for the visualization of smaller structures such as the orientation of the myocytes (D), arteries, their walls and veins (E,F), part of an atherosclerotic plaque in the aortic sinus (G), valves (H) and even small structures in the papillary muscles (I). Since the left system was flushed with saline after sacrifice, a blood clot was present in all right ventricles (RV). However, no blood clots were observed in the coronary arteries and veins (E,F), suggesting that the saline flush passed through the entire myocardial vascular network. Minor non-physiological low-frequency fluctuations in image intensity were visible on a macroscopic scale (A–C), but these did not impact the contrast and visibility of the macroscopic or microscopic structures. RV = right ventricle, LV = left ventricle, RA = right atrium, LA = left atrium

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