Bridging the gap: developing screening tools for the early detection of carotid artery disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with over 75% of CVD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This thesis supports the development of affordable, accessible, and user-friendly screening tools for the early detection of arterial stiffness—an important predictor of early-stage cardiovascular conditions—and atherosclerosis, a major cause of stroke. These tools aim to promote global health equity by enabling early detection and helping prevent disease progression and future events, particularly in LMICs. The research investigates a single M-line ultrasound approach for carotid stiffness assessment and explores the potential of a laser Doppler vibrometer and an electronic stethoscope for detecting carotid stenosis. Findings show these tools can reliably identify carotid plaques and severe stenosis, offering practical, scalable solutions for large-scale screening. Additionally, the study highlights the need to assess potential biases when transitioning between different echo-tracking systems in longitudinal research.