The diagnostic value of carotid ultrasound in stroke prevention: Cellular molecular biomechanics-anchored exploration of current applications and future trails
Abstract
Stroke continues to be a major public health concern involving high morbidity and mortality in most parts of the world with far reaching economic impact. About two thirds of these cases are caused by ischemic strokes that are linked to carotid artery disease. Identifying high-risk stroke patients is crucial for initiating appropriate management. At the cellular molecular biomechanics level, the carotid artery’s endothelial cells experience shear stress. Changes in blood flow patterns can disrupt the mechanotransduction pathways within these cells. Ideally, high risk stroke patients should first be identified for proper management to be begins. Carotid artery disease or carotid stenosis and plaque formation is one of the major and modifiable risk factors for ischemic stroke, thereby the importance of accurate diagnostic assessment cannot be overstressed. The current uses, accuracy, and future developments of carotid ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for stroke prevention are discussed in this paper. Carotid ultrasound that is noninvasive and relatively inexpensive is a central tool in evaluating the degree of stenosis and plaque features that are vital in risk of stroke. It can detect alterations in the intima-media thickness, which reflects changes in the cellular and extracellular matrix composition of the artery wall. The biomechanical properties of plaques, such as their stiffness and vulnerability, can also be inferred. In the review, difficulties in stroke risk detection and features of carotid ultrasound that were outlined include its effectiveness in identifying stroke risk, in comparison with other imaging techniques, the incorporation of carotid ultrasound into clinical practice for early strokes detection. New developments such as carotid elastography and imaging with the help of artificial intelligence algorithms are also presented to exemplify the increasing possibilities of enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The primary value of carotid ultrasound is in stroke prevention because it offers a preliminary and precise means of diagnosing carotid artery disease. However, further studies are needed to explore additional applications, enhance diagnostic precision, and develop more effective preventive healthcare strategies, taking into account the cellular molecular biomechanics of the carotid artery and its associated pathologies.
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