NEW YORK, Jun 05 (Reuters Health) - Power Doppler ultrasound, a type of
color ultrasound, is a potentially cost-effective and painless way of detecting
those at risk for stroke, US researchers report.
The screening method would be performed on people who do not have stroke
symptoms, but who may be at risk for stroke due to fatty blockages in neck
arteries.
A stroke occurs when an artery that feeds blood to the brain becomes
blocked, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of
the brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
The study evaluated 100 patients routinely referred for carotid artery
imaging. The ultrasound procedure, which shows blood flow, is described as safe
and non-invasive. A typical exam takes 2 to 7 minutes to perform, according to
lead study author Dr. Edward I. Bluth, chairman of the department of radiology
at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans. Louisiana.
The ultrasound technique produced diagnostic quality images with 89% of
patients. Calcified arteries or a patient's inability to remain still can
interfere with accurate imaging.
Using conservative assumptions, the investigators also performed a
cost-effective analysis. Bluth said that this method, which is estimated to cost
about $80 per examination, "seems to compare well with mammography as a
screening tool." Mammography is used to help detect the presence of breast
cancer.
In an interview with Reuters Health, Bluth stated that screening for stroke
risk could potentially start in persons aged 40 years old. "Depending on the
degree of narrowing of the artery, if any, a person may be instructed to come
back anywhere from 1 to 5 years for follow-up," he said. More severe cases might
need further testing and treatment.
According to the National Stroke Foundation, stroke is one of the most
preventable of all life-threatening health problems. With proper attention to
controllable stroke risk factors--such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
obesity and smoking--a person's risk of stroke can be greatly reduced.
