New data highlights the benefit of ultrasound screening in detecting early signs of vascular disease in otherwise’ low’ to ‘moderate’ risk asymptomatic individuals – with the potential to half the incidence of stroke and heart attacks1.
The data waspresented at the 26th World Congress of the International Union of Angiology (IUA), Sydney, Australia.
Video: How vascular diseases develops. Article continued below video…
Each year, 20 million people in middle and old age die due to vascular disease, many of them spending their last years with vascular dementia. Yet one-in-three people developing heart attacks from vascular disease will not exhibit any of the conventional risk factors2, and 80% of strokes from vascular disease occur without warning in asymptomatic patients3.
Early signs easily detected
Early signs of vascular disease such as atherosclerotic plaques and narrowing of the arteries are indicators of risk and can be easily detected using ultrasound. Research and analysis presented at the IUA by several leading cardiovascular specialists, shows identifying asymptomatic individuals at risk as early as possible, and targeting them for aggressive risk factor modification, can dramatically reduce morbidity and mortality from myocardial infarction and stroke by 50%1.New research also shows that a significant proportion of the population may have early signs of vascular disease. Data presented from a screening study in Australia showed the general prevalence of significant carotid vessel disease was 1.7%, and the prevalence of AAA (where the dilatation of artery is > 3cm) was 2% with some having a large (>5 cm) life-threatening aneurysm that carries more than 20% risk of rupture in the next 12 months.
The prevalence of 2% exceeds the 1% threshold typically used as a guideline to provide cost-effective screening in the general population, and supports unrestricted use of ultrasound screening to detect AAA and other cardiovascular diseases.
Atherosclerotic arterial disease develops slowly
Data was also presented from an epidemiological study carried out by Imperial College London and Life Line Screening, looking at demographics and risk factors in 2419 patients with AAA detected by ultrasound screening. Carotid artery disease, history of MI, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, smoking and family history were shown to be independent risk factors for AAA in men.
A significant percentage of AAAs were found among males younger than 65. This suggests limitations in the current screening recommendations where males in the UK over the age of 65 are invited for screening by the NHS. Using the 1% threshold or greater to provide cost-effective screening, all women aged over 80 and women aged 70-79 who have two or more risk factors would benefit from being invited for screening (prevalence 0.98-1.25%).
“Atherosclerotic arterial disease which is responsible for heart attacks and strokes, develops slowly and silently for many years before it becomes manifest as disease,” said Professor Andrew Nicolaides, Emeritus Professor of Vascular Surgery at Imperial College London.
“Its detection and silent progression can be recorded accurately with ultrasound scans. The presence of such deposits places an individual at high risk, yet intervention with modern medical therapy can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 50%.“
Time to consider ultrasound screening for vascular disease
According to Dr. Mohsen Chabok, Medical Research Physician, Life Line Screening UK, “Arterial imaging of the carotid peripheral circulation can be used to further refine risk based on Framingham Risk Scoring. More accurate diagnosis allows more targeted treatment. I think it is time to seriously consider the value of ultrasound screening for vascular disease in asymptomatic patients.”
MORE INFORMATION:
Other significant data presented at IUA showed that patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease are at 200% greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). High blood pressure, carotid artery disease,peripheral artery disease, and history of stroke or heart disease double the risk of developing CKD.
This new research and interpretation of existing data and current approaches to prevention and treatment of vascular disease was presented at a special session of the IUA by members of the Scientific Advisory Network on behalf of Life Line Screening.
References:
- The British Journal of Cardiology:
Screening for cardiovascular risk - PubMed (NIH):
The Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) study: prevalence of hyperlipidemia in persons with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and the relationship to coronary heart disease - PubMed (NIH):
Most stroke patients do not get a warning: A population-based cohort study
Key papers FROM the IUA session supported by Life Line Screening:
- “The value of different screening methods” – Prof Andrew Nicolaides, Imperial College London.
- “Community-based private vascular screening in Australia” – Professor Scott Kitchener, Medical Director Screen for Life Australia.
- “The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis, peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation among 295000 screened British and Irish adults” – Dr Mohsen Chabok, Medical Research Physician, Life Line Screening UK.
- “Association of vascular diseases with Chronic Kidney Disease in asymptomatic population” – Dr Mohsen Chabok, Medical Research Physician, Life Line Screening UK.
- “Bigger is Better – Large scale observational studies can provide uniquely reliable results” Mr Richard Bulbulia, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at University of Oxford.
"New data highlights the benefit of ultrasound screening in detecting early signs of vascular disease in otherwise' low' to 'moderate' risk asymptomatic individuals – with the potential to half the incidence of stroke and heart attacks1."
Not to be picky or anything, but the cited reference is a paper published in 2010, and the study did not look at vascular dementia. In fact, I'm not finding mention of vascular dementia any of the references.
The video doesn't mention dementia, either.
Vascular dementia often results from years of eating junk and not exercising, which leads to vascular disease and eventually vascular dementia. Notwithstanding the arguably imperfect jump, connecting vascular dementia to the more familiar "vascular disease" wherever reasonably possible, helps legitimately motivate people to live healthier lives. It's about offering support and insight, as per the slogan at the top of the page. That's a good thing.
It appears you are confusing "risk factors" with "causes." Like Alzheimer's, some risk factors for vascular dementia have been identified — including hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, hyperlipidemia, demographic factors such as male gender and African American ethnicity, and age — but the causes for both dementias are still unknown (aside from the very rare familial forms of AD).
Recent studies have been producing evidence that the presence of conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease does not accurately predict which patients will have heart attacks or strokes. Attention is therefore being turned to tests that can detect signs that cardiovascular disease is actually developing in given individuals, so that they can be targeted for aggressive treatment in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. As indicated in the article, it is the improved testing, leading to improved management of cardiovascular disease, that is thought to have the potential to make such drastic cuts in heart attack and stroke.
Ultrasound screening can detect certain types of cardiovascular problems in relatively large arteries in, e.g., the chest and neck. It cannot be used to detect cerebrovascular problems at all.
There are significant differences between cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disorders. One can have cardiovascular disease severe enough to cause heart attack or stroke, and yet not develop vascular dementia. One can develop vascular dementia without having had a heart attack or stroke.
The term vascular dementia is usually reserved for a subtly progressive worsening of cognitive functions, thought to be due to chronic hypoxia in the brain, that eventually results in dementia.
See, e.g.: http://memory.ucsf.edu/education/diseases/vascular
Many different factors can result in chronic brain hypoxia including not only hypoxicischemic injury to the brain that can sometimes be caused by heart attack or stroke, but also, e.g., cerebral amyloid angiopathy, congenital heart defects, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic anemia, cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial flutter), congestive heart failure, carotid artery stenosis/occlusion, extremely low blood pressure, acute hemorrhage, severe asthma, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
I'm all for trying to motivate people to live healthier lives … but not by making totally unfounded promises.
Since cardiac disease is a risk factor for vascular dementia, and more ultrasound screens reduce the risk of cardiac disease, then does it not follow that more ultrasound screens should reduce the risk of vascular dementia?
Based on your helpful comments, the following edits were made:
The phrase in the opening paragraph was changed from "lead to" and replaced with "increases risk of". "Would" was changed to "could".
Thanks for the feedback.