introducing a diagnostically effective amount of detectably labeled IK17 human or humanized monoclonal antibody (Mab) or fragment thereof, human IK17 monoclonal antibody fragment (Fab), or single chain fragment (scFv) of an IK17 antibody, said antibody or fragment thereof being specific for oxidation specific epitopes found on copper-induced oxidized low density lipoprotein (Cu-OxLDL) or malondialdehyde low density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL), wherein IK17 antibody, fragment of scFV comprises a variable light chain encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and a variable heavy chain encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said antibody or fragment thereof does not bind native LDL, wherein said antibody or fragment thereof inhibits uptake of Cu-OxLDL by macrophages, and wherein said antibody or fragment thereof binds such epitopes in vivo at a detectably higher rate than the rate of binding to normal vasculature; and

determining whether the antibody binds to the vasculature, wherein the binding of said antibody to the vasculature is indicative of the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.