Assessing individual cardiac risk using extra-cardiac arterial imaging.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Cardiovascular risk factors predict the risk of cardiovascular events in populations but have limitations in predicting individual risk. Emerging technologies that non-invasively measure carotid intima media thickness, aortic pressure and brachial artery reactivity may be useful in identifying the vulnerable patient who may benefit from more aggressive preventive therapy. These tests vary between each other in their reproducibility, cost, required operator skill, availability and patient preparation. However, all require further validation for clinical use as screening tests for cardiovascular disease.
Nelson
Matthew R
MR
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
Hurst
R Todd
RT
Mookadam
Farouk
F
D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000473:pathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology