Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the primary cause of death worldwide, thus making their high burden a call for adequate prevention strategies. Estimating individual risk of suffering cardiac or cerebral vascular events allows the implementation of disease-modifying measures.Risk stratification charts based on traditional risk factors (sex, age, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension) are the most recommended methods, given their easy use, high applicability and predictive value. Nevertheless, intermediate risk patients undergoing further stratification may require additional tools, such as serological markers and imaging. This review focuses on the utility and applicability of various tools designed for cardiovascular risk assessment
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the primary cause of death worldwide
Most cardiovascular risk (CVR) estimation tools take traditional risk factors (RF) into account, since they have been linked to 90% of all acute myocardial infarctions [3]
The evaluation of said RF not always accurately predicts the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events to occur in the future
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the primary cause of death worldwide. Even though the general mortality rates have decreased, they are on the rise in underdeveloped and developing countries [1]. A recent recommendation states that in intermediate risk patients, a positive result should prompt statin therapy initiation [10] This technique contributes to both anatomical and functional cardiac assessment, especially in myocardiopathies, aortic disease and in terms of myocardial perfusion stress testing [4]. Further attempts to clarify its utility in risk stratification have found this technique to contribute to the determination of overall atherosclerotic plaques and burden (e.g. total volume of plaques in both carotid and femoral arteries), rather than the independent finding of carotid disease, and shows higher correlation with CVR [15] It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that combines the infusion of a tracer with nuclear imaging, permitting evaluation of myocardial perfusion while resting as well as during cardiac stress. It is generally deemed useful when testing for coronary disease in intermediate and highrisk patients [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
