Carotid Ultrasonography in General Health Screening :Non-Invasive Assessment of Early Atherosclerosis

Abstract

As carotid ultrasonography is an easy , immediate, and non-invasive diagnosing modality that does not involve radiation exposure, it has gained considerable recognition for use in the screening of carotid atherosclerosis even in asymptomatic subjects . Carotid plaque may be defined when the maximum of the IMT measured at the several arterial segments surpasses a certain cut-off value, and, although not always, has a focal protrusion. The size, number , surface morphology, and echogenicity of such carotid plaque may provide useful information for estimating the likelihood of future ischemic cerebrovascular events. Although significant luminal narrowing ( 70% stenosis) of carotid arteries that may increase the incidence of stroke will rarely be encountered in the setting of Ningen Dock , the presence of carotid atherosclerosis may also indicate an increased likelihood of the presence of coronary artery stenosis or future cardiac events. In addition, visualization of the presence of plaque may also increase the subjects' motivation for making lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation . Due to its non-invasive nature, carotid ultrasonography has become reasonable and feasible modality for the diagnosis of early atherosclerosis in the setting of general health screening or Ningen Dock. (Ningen Dock 2007 21 : 47 — 49)