Label-free characterization of human coronary arteries plaques via high-resolution laser scanning multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging

We report the first application of high-resolution laser scanning multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging (LS-FLIm) to characterize in detail the autofluorescence properties of human coronary arteries and plaques. Frozen coronary segments were sectioned with a microtome, and imaged. Adjacent sections were processed to label lipids, macrophages, collagen and correlated with LS-FLIm data. Key plaque components, including newly formed collagen, fibrous plaque, lipid-rich core, and foam cells, exhibited distinct autofluorescence signatures. These findings highlight the potential of LS-FLIm to reveal the complex biochemical composition of coronary plaques.