Table 1: Principal characteristics of small animal imaging techniques in cardiovascular research.

Imaging technique Physical principle Spatial resolution Advantages Disadvantages UBM High frequency sound waves 50 μm Real-time cardiovascular morphofunctional assessment Strongly operator dependent, difficult assessing of right ventricle CT X-rays 100 μm Left ventricle morphology Radiation dose MRI High intensity magnetic field 200 μm High tissue contrast and functional parameters Most expensive and availability SPECT Gamma emitters Max 0.62 mm FWHM Molecular imaging, myocardial metabolism and perfusion, 10−10-10−11 M sensitivity Low spatial resolution, radiation dose PET Positron emitters Max 1 mm FWHM Molecular imaging, myocardial metabolism and perfusion, 10−11-10−12 M sensitivity Low spatial resolution, radiation dose

UBM: ultrasound biomicroscopy; CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; SPECT: single-photon emission computed tomography; PET: positron emission tomography; FWHM: full width at half maximum.