Inflammation in the vascular wall plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, including development of plaque, plaque destabilization and rupture. Clinical and basic scientific data demonstrate the importance of peripheral white blood cells in this process. Therefore, a noninvasive method to detect inflammatory activity in atherosclerosis may be of great value to help determine prognosis, direct therapy and perhaps assess novel therapies for stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque.