ABSTRACT
It is now known that the Framingham score - the basis for the estimation of the total (global) 10-year risk in individuals without known cardiovascular disease or diabetes - has limitations. So, to refine cardiovascular risk prediction, experts are investigating new techniques for determining risk factors. This book assesses the role of conventional and emerging serum markers and imaging modalities to detect and measure subclinical atherosclerosis. At the present time, non-invasive CT coronary angiography appears promising for assessing calcium plaques but also vulnerable soft plaques in the coronary arteries that may result in a myocardial infarction. CT coronary angiograms, carotid ultrasound investigation, magnetic resonance plaque characterization, and coronary blood flow measurement by positron emission tomography are also discussed and compared. This book is aimed at disseminating an understanding of the potential of these techniques to a wider audience.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part |2 pages
SECTION I: THE NATURE AND PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS
chapter 1|10 pages
Endothelial dysfunction: Ultrasound measurement of endothelium-dependent flow-mediated brachial artery vasodilation
chapter 2|10 pages
Vulnerable plaque: Detection, imaging, and treatment
part |2 pages
SECTION II: THE POTENTIAL OF MULTIDETECTOR-ROW CT
chapter 3|10 pages
Basic physics of cardiac CT
chapter 4|12 pages
Optimization of acquisition of cardiac CT angiography
chapter 5|10 pages
Assessment of coronary stenoses with 64-slice multidetector CT
chapter 6|8 pages
Imaging of coronary vulnerable plaque with CT
chapter 7|10 pages
Chapter 7
chapter 8|12 pages
Coronary calcium to assess cardiovascular risk in population studies
part |2 pages
SECTION III: OTHER METHODS TO NON-INVASIVELY ASSESS SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS
chapter 9|8 pages
Using carotid artery thickness to identify asymptomatic atherosclerosis and to predict cardiovascular risk
chapter 11|12 pages
CMR plaque characterization
chapter 12|20 pages
Role of C-reactive protein as a cardiovascular risk predictor
part |2 pages
SECTION IV: ASSESSING ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC STRATEGIES ON SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS