Methods for vascular imaging using nanoparticulate contrast agents

An in vivo method for detecting or evaluating plaque accumulation in a blood vessel of a subject comprising:

• a) administering to said subject an effective amount of a nanoparticulate contrast agent;
• and
• b) detecting said agent thereby forming an image of said accumulated plaque in said vessel.

An in vivo method for detecting or evaluating the perfusion status of a blood vessel or an organ in a subject comprising:

• (a) administering to said subject an effective amount of a nanoparticulate contrast agent;
• and
• (b) detecting said agent thereby forming an image of said blood vessel or said organ.

An in vivo method for detecting or evaluating the microperfusion status of a small blood vessel comprising:

• a) administering to said subject an effective amount of a nanoparticulate contrast agent;
• and
• b) detecting said agent thereby forming an image of the microperfusion status of said small blood vessel.

An in vivo method for detecting or evaluating the perfusion status of a tumor in a subject comprising:

• a) administering to the subject an effective amount of a nanoparticulate contrast agent;
• and
• b) detecting said agent thereby forming an image of said perfusion status of said tumor.

In one embodiment, said organ is selected from the group consisting of heart, brain, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, or spleen.

A composition comprising a non-water soluble, nanoparticulate contrast agent having a mean particle size sufficient to allow the nanoparticulate contrast agent to be taken up by activated macrophages.