In combination with a persistent infectious and nutritional disease burden, this has led to a challenging “double burden of disease” in many countries. Rapid urbanization, mechanization of transport, and increasingly sedentary jobs in LMICs have led to a rise in CVD burden. While high-income countries have experienced a substantial decline in CVD mortality over the past several decades, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have higher age-standardized CVD mortality rates than high-income countries. In addition to the health burden, CVD will exert a significant economic burden, on the order of approximately $15 trillion over the next 20 years. Thus, dedicated studies examining the feasibility, utility, and cost-effectiveness of detecting subclinical CVD in LMICs are warranted.Ĭardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide. The potential gains in detecting subclinical CVD may be substantial in LMICs, if earlier detection leads to earlier engagement with the health care system to prevent or delay cardiac events, morbidity, and premature mortality. We review these imaging modalities, including aspects such as rationale, relevance, feasibility, utilization, and access in LMICs.
In this review, we discuss imaging technologies that can be used to detect subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (carotid ultrasound, coronary artery calcification) and non-atherosclerotic CVD (echocardiography). Detection of subclinical CVD, before an individual experiences a major event, may therefore offer the potential to prevent or delay morbidity and mortality, if combined with an appropriate care response. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and also exerts a significant economic burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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