While imaging is recognized as a useful tool to characterize atherosclerosis and its complications, there is a critical need to undertake large population studies to truly understand the natural history of the disease as well as the links between imaging biomarkers and patient outcomes.  This presentation outlines the objectives of CAIN3, which are to compare the extent of atherosclerosis, and rate of atherosclerosis progression in different vascular beds and to determine the correlation between imaging biomarkers and cardiovascular outcomes. 

Working within the goal of CAIN2, Dr. Spence outlines the importance and methods towards outlining atherosclerosis patients would would benefit from intervention. It has been determined that those with microemboli and with greater than 3 ulcers benefit and that characteristics of individual plaque predicts outcome. CAIN2 strives to validate imaging methods for detection of vulnerable plaque.