Combined Ultrasound Technologies Provide “One Stop Shop” Evaluation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk

A novel suite of ultrasound imaging modalities for both cardiac and vascular studies provides clinicians with a wide range of tools for assessing a patient’s risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease rapidly and effectively, often before symptoms occur. The technology was developed to provide a “step change” in terms of early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease using ultrasound.

At this year’s EuroEcho-Imaging Conference, held December 11–14, 2013, in Istanbul (Turkey), global medical imaging manufacturer, Esaote (Genoa, Italy), will present the Prevention Suite, which includes four sophisticated ultrasound imaging technologies: CFI (coronary flow imaging), XStrain, RFQIMT (radiofrequency quality intima media thickness), and RFQAS (radiofrequency-based quality arterial stiffness), which measure coronary flow quantification, cardiac deformation indexes, carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness, respectively. The vascular measurements are performed using RF signal analysis, which provides high spatial resolution for greater accuracy.

Prof. Fausto Rigo, head of cardiac diagnostic imaging department at Dell’Angelo Hospital (Mestre-Venice, Italy), has used Esaote’s Prevention Suite extensively in both inpatient and outpatient examinations. “For clinicians ranging from GPs [general practitioners] to cardiologists, Prevention Suite is a unique and technically superb ‘one-stop-shop’ for cardiovascular assessment. It allows us to quickly and reliably make an appraisal of the patient, providing information about the actual biological risk of atherosclerosis. Prevention Suite’s resolution for vessel analysis is particularly impressive. There is no equivalent that allows us this multiplicity of information in the preclinical phase. Patients are fascinated by the examination too, and Prevention Suites’ real-life images are highly persuasive in convincing them to modify their lifestyle.”

An early detection strategy using ultrasound imaging of major cardiovascular areas is an important way of addressing an extremely costly issue: In 2011, the American Heart Association estimated that by 2030 the cost of treating cardiovascular diseases would upsurge from USD 273 to USD 818 billion.

Prof. Cristina Giannattasio, head of cardiology IV, cardiologic department at Niguarda Hospital (Milan, Italy), noted, “Atherosclerosis is one of the pathologies which can remain asymptomatic for a long time. The availability of dedicated cardiac and vascular measurements in the same device offers a more user-friendly and comprehensive assessment with the benefit of being able to detect early risk of CV disease. In the future, preventative approaches will be the best way of reducing morbidity and mortality.”

Ongoing clinical studies involving hundreds of patients at clinical centers throughout Europe have started to show the benefits of a preventative screening approach. Prof. Rigo explained, “The integration of cardiac and vascular assessments will help physicians identify the actual biological risk of atherosclerosis. Once clinical risk is identified, clinicians can work with patients on early intervention strategies and lifestyle modification before the risk of CVD escalates. As well as having clear patient benefits, preclinical assessments may help prevent hospitalizations and acute therapies, yielding significant long-term cost savings.”

Prevention Suite is available across Esaote’s range of ultrasound systems. XStrain 4D or RFQAS are not currently available in the United States.

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