Advancements in non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis: Future perspectives

•Non-invasive imaging enhances atherosclerosis evaluation beyond anatomy.•CTA identifies high-risk plaque features in coronary heart disease.•FAI and PCAT offer cardiac event prediction.•MRI enables precise phenotyping of vulnerable plaque components.•Insightful molecular imaging reveals plaque development and rupture. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of plaques in arterial walls, leading to cardiovascular diseases and high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Non-invasive imaging techniques play a crucial role in evaluating patients with suspected or established atherosclerosis. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the need to visualize the underlying processes of plaque progression and rupture to enhance risk stratification. This review explores recent advancements in non-invasive assessment of atherosclerosis, focusing on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear imaging. These advancements provide valuable insights into the assessment and management of atherosclerosis, potentially leading to better risk stratification and improved patient outcomes.