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[Progress in diagnosis of arteriosclerosis in humans--review]
Insights
Atherosclerosis, a cause of major death in Japan, can be assessed using new diagnostic tools. Researchers developed a computer program for computed tomography (CT) to evaluate aortic wall changes, aiding in disease progression studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Context:
- Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of death in Japan, manifesting as cerebrovascular and ischemic heart diseases.
- Early detection and prevention of atherosclerosis are critical public health goals.
- Existing diagnostic methods range from risk factor assessment to invasive and hypoinvasive examinations.
Purpose:
- To explore advanced diagnostic tools for assessing atherosclerosis, particularly in asymptomatic individuals.
- To introduce a novel computer program for analyzing computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdominal aorta.
- To facilitate clinical assessment of atherosclerosis progression and regression through non-invasive imaging.
Summary:
- The study discusses various methods for diagnosing atherosclerosis, including risk factor analysis and imaging techniques like arteriography, CT, and MRI.
- A new computer program has been developed to analyze aortic wall thickening and calcification from CT scans.
- This non-invasive approach aims to clinically assess atherosclerosis progression.
Impact:
- The developed computer program offers a non-invasive method for evaluating atherosclerosis progression.
- This technology could enhance the clinical management and research of cardiovascular diseases.
- Future collaborative studies in Japan may leverage these advancements for comprehensive atherosclerosis research.
Abstract:
Most of cerebrovascular diseases or ischemic heart diseases, the major causes of death in Japan, occur as terminal symptoms of atherosclerosis. Much effort has been made to prevent these diseases and also to assess premature atherosclerosis. Recently, new models of tools for diagnosis has been developed. There are several ways to determine the existence of atherosclerosis, namely (1) to find the major risk factors of atherosclerosis such as hyperlipoproteinemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or smoking, and also (2) for apparent cardiovascular patients, to examine the pathogenesis of the disease by using invasive methods such as selective arteriography, intravasculoscopy, and intravascular ultrasonic examination, if necessary, and (3) for asymptomatic people, to apply hypoinvasive examinations such as the ultrasonic examination, the computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography. As a non-invasive diagnostic method, we have been trying to assess the progression of atherosclerosis clinically by computed tomography (CT) of the abdominal aorta. Recently we developed a new computer program to define the wall thickening and calcification of aorta on personal computer. In the near future, progression and regression collaboration studies in Japan may be achieved.