Unravelling the role of carotid atherosclerosis in predicting cardiovascular disease risk: A review.

Abstract

Carotid atherosclerosis disease assessment can predict the patient's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of carotid atherosclerosis disease's pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, imaging applications, and treatment strategies. Carotid atherosclerosis is diagnosed using a variety of techniques, including transcranial Doppler imaging (TCD), computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA), with duplex ultrasound (DUS) as the primary screening. Measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) have drawn attention recently as a marker of early-stage carotid atherosclerosis or CVD risk prediction. The classification of cardiovascular risk may be enhanced by the expanding fields of stress testing and carotid plaque screening.