The value of Doppler echocardiography in the management of patients with valvular heart disease: analysis of one year of clinical practice

Management recommendations based on Doppler echocardiographic examination and cardiac catheterization were compared in a prospective study in 100 consecutive patients who were admitted for evaluation and treatment of suspected valvular heart disease during 1988. Management recommendations were provided independently after both Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization by different and blinded investigators. Criteria for severe (clinically significant) and moderate to mild (insignificant) valvular lesions and management recommendations were agreed on in advance. There was disagreement on the severity of aortic stenosis based on the aortic valve area and maximum instantaneous pressure gradient in 1 of 54 patients, which resulted in differing management recommendations. Mitral stenosis was severe (valve area less than or equal to 1 cm2) at Doppler echocardiography but not at cardiac catheterization in 5 of 14 patients. Because pulmonary artery pressure increase during exercise at cardiac catheterization also suggested severe obstruction, management recommendations were similar. There was a potentially significant disagreement on the severity of aortic regurgitation in 9 of 76 patients and of mitral regurgitation in 14 of 90 patients; however, this did not produce differing management recommendations because with most patients coexistent valvular lesions or an impaired ventricular function mainly determined the ultimate management decision. Although of good quality, Doppler echocardiographic examination was nonconclusive for clinical decision-making in 15% of the study population because of uncertainty about the severity of mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation or because of problems in assessing the degree of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe regurgitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship between the ischemic threshold at the onset of wall-motion abnormality on semisupine exercise echocardiography and the extent of coronary artery disease.

Semisupine exercise echocardiography (SSEE) provides the unique opportunity of continuous monitoring of segmental wall motion during physiologic stress. We evaluated the relationship between the ischemic threshold at the onset of wall-motion abnormality on SSEE and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a consecutive series of 224 patients who underwent coronary angiography. Ischemic threshold was significantly lower for patients with multivessel disease compared with single-vessel disease: maximal workload was 102 versus 135 W (P = 1.3.10(-6)); percentage of maximal predicted heart rate achieved was 64 versus 70% (P =.004); and double product was 21,335 versus 23,389 (P =.03), respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SSEE for the detection of significant CAD (> or =60% diameter stenosis) were 81%, 74%, 90%, and 56%, respectively. SSEE is an accurate tool to diagnose CAD and the ischemic threshold at the onset of wall-motion abnormality is inversely related to the extent of CAD.     

Doppler-derived aortic flow measurements during and after heavy isometric exercise in healthy men versus men with myocardial infarction.

Doppler echocardiography is a useful noninvasive determination of left ventricular function during dynamic exercise. Scarce data are available for the use of this technique during heavy isometric exercise. Therefore, Doppler-derived aortic flow indexes were assessed during and after 50% maximal upper-body isometric exercise in 25 healthy men (aged 47 +/- 6 years) and compared with those of 22 men (aged 48 +/- 9 years) who had suffered myocardial infarction. The heart rate increased (p = 0.01) in each of the groups from a mean of 68 +/- 12 at rest to 84 +/- 11 during isometric exercise. At rest, systolic blood pressure was higher (p = 0.05) in the patients with coronary artery disease. During exercise, the patients with cardiac disease, compared with the healthy volunteers, demonstrated a lesser reduction in flow velocity integral, stroke volume, and cardiac indexes (p = 0.001). Immediately on recovery, the patients with cardiac disease, compared with the healthy group, showed significantly greater (p = 0.001) increase in stroke volume and cardiac indexes. At 3 minute's recovery, the stroke volume index continued to increase in the patients with cardiac disease, while the healthy group showed a decrease to below its resting value. Although 50% of maximal upper-body isometric exercise caused similar heart rate and systolic blood pressure responses in healthy patients and patients with cardiac disease, there were significant group differences in Doppler-derived left ventricular systolic function indexes, which were greatest on immediate and 3 minute's recovery. The results suggest that this novel isometric test may be useful in clinical testing.     

川崎病合并二尖瓣返流的临床特征及与冠脉损害关系的探讨

目的:探讨川崎病(KD)合并二尖瓣返流患儿的临床特征及其与冠状动脉损害的关系。方法:选取我院KD患儿152例,其中初期(病程第0-2周)合并二尖瓣返流,后期(第4-7周)复查消失者为组Ⅰ;初期及后期均合并二尖瓣返流者为组Ⅱ;初期及后期均无二尖瓣返流者为对照组。比较3组患儿的年龄、性别、实验室资料(包括WBC、PLT、CK-MB、ALB、CRP、ESR)、冠状动脉扩张、左室增大、返流程度。结果:KD患儿初期二尖瓣返流的发生率为22.4%(34/152),后期为9.2%(14/152)。1例发生心力衰竭,3例出现一过性心功能不全,均为组Ⅱ中合并中度返流患儿。组Ⅰ、Ⅱ分别与对照组的性别、左室增大、冠状动脉扩张、WBC、CK-MB、ALB、CRP、ESR比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);组Ⅰ与组Ⅱ之间的左室增大、冠状动脉扩张、返流程度、WBC、CK-MB、CRP比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:KD所合并二尖瓣返流多可自行缓解,但返流严重或持续存在者可出现心功能不全或心力衰竭;合并二尖瓣返流者其炎症水平较高,易发生冠状动脉损害。     

三维斑点追踪技术对冠心病左室收缩功能的研究

目的 应用三维斑点追踪技术(3D-STI)评价冠心病患者左室各节段及整体收缩功能。方法50例超声心动图显示未见明显节段性室壁运动异常但行冠脉造影（CAG）检查确诊CHD者为实验组,同时以30例高度怀疑冠心病（CHD）,但二维超声心动图及冠脉造影均未见异常者为对照组。利用3D-STI技术、M型Teichholz法和二维双平面Simpson法测量两组患者的左室舒张末期容积（LVEDV）、左室收缩末期容积（LVESV）、左室射血分数（LVEF）。应用3D-STI技术软件得出应变参数((左室收缩期峰值环向应变(LS)、左室收缩期峰值圆周应变(CS)、左室收缩期峰值径向应变(RS)及左室收缩期峰值面积应变(AS))、左心室17节段的时间-应变曲线及显示左心室各节段应变的牛眼图;以CAG结果为金标准,对比三种方法得到的各参数与CAG结果的相关性。结果 对照组三种方法所得心功能参数（LVEDV、LVESV、LVEF）比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。实验组三种方法所得心功能参数（LVEDV、LVESV、LVEF）比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。3D-STI法所得实验组不同病变冠脉分支不同节段之间心功能参数（LS、CS、RS、AS）比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组间3D-STI各应变参数（GLS、GCS、GRS、GAS）比较,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线表明GLS、GAS为诊断冠心病的最佳敏感指标。结论3D-STI能更好的评估冠心病节段病变及整体左室收缩功能,为临床在冠心病的及时诊断提供帮助。     

The diagnosis of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery by echocardiography: Case report

The anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare congenital heart disease that affects 1 of 300,000 live births. We present the case of an 18-year-old female presenting with chest pain and dyspnea after vigorous exercise, and whose two-dimensional echocardiogram initially displayed a "normal connection" between the left coronary artery with the aortic sinus of Valsalva. Using a systematic diagnostic echocardiography approach, we rightfully diagnosed it as anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.     

Diagnosis of coronary artery disease using exercise echocardiography and positron emission tomography: comparison and analysis of discrepant results.

Both exercise echocardiography and rubidium-82 positron emission tomography are used in the detection and characterization of coronary artery disease. This study compared results of both in 74 patients with known coronary anatomy, by use of exercise echocardiography before and after treadmill exercise and positron emission tomography with intravenous dipyridamole-handgrip stress. Significant (greater than 50%) coronary stenoses were present in 70 patients; exercise echocardiography and positron emission tomography each identified 63 patients (sensitivity 90%). Significant stenoses without previous myocardial infarction were present in 34 patients; 29 (85%) were identified by exercise echocardiography and 28 by positron emission tomography (82%, p = NS). Four patients had no significant coronary disease, and were all identified as normal by both methods. Segments were classified as either normal or showing stress or resting abnormalities, and the diagnoses were compared in the territories of the three major coronary arteries. Results were concordant with respect to the presence or absence of coronary disease in 185 of 222 territories (83%). The remaining 37 regions had abnormalities by exercise echocardiography or positron emission tomography but not both. Stress defects were identified by only one of the tests in 24 areas (in 12 [50%], angiographic findings correlated with positron emission tomography). Resting defects were diagnosed by only one modality in 13 regions (angiographic findings correlated with the results of positron emission tomography in 9 [69%] of these). Both exercise echocardiography and positron emission tomography are sensitive for the identification of coronary artery disease, although on a regional basis, positron emission tomography appears to be more specific for the diagnosis of resting perfusion defects.     

二维应变成像对冠心病患者的初步研究

目的 探讨冠心病患者心肌应变特点.方法 43例冠心病患者及35例正常人,分别获取左室短轴观二尖瓣环水平、乳头肌水平、心尖水平及心尖四腔观、二腔观,左室长轴观的高帧频图像,应用二维应变软件测量各个节段的二维应变值.结果 狭窄＜75%冠状动脉(冠脉)供血节段共96个,狭窄≥75%冠脉供血节段共147个.①狭窄≥75%冠脉供血节段与正常对照组比较,基底段、中间段及心尖段纵向收缩期峰值应变均明显减低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);左室短轴(二尖瓣环、乳头肌及心尖水平)的绝大部分径向收缩期峰值应变及圆周收缩期峰值应变与正常对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);②以纵向收缩期峰值应变≥-16.1%为截点值,预测冠脉狭窄≥75%的敏感性及特异性分别为78.7%和76.4%.③狭窄＜75%冠脉供血节段与正常对照组比较,纵向收缩期峰值应变、径向收缩期峰值应变及圆周收缩期峰值应变差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 当冠脉出现严重狭窄时,虽然二维超声心动图上无明显室壁运动异常,但反映心内膜下心肌功能的纵向应变已明显降低.     

三磷酸腺苷和多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影在冠心病诊断中的对比研究

目的对比研究三磷酸腺苷和多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影在冠心病诊断中的应用价值。 方法纳入2018年11月至2019年6月就诊于东莞康华医院心血管中心、可疑或确诊冠心病的患者86例,所有患者均行三磷酸腺苷和多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影连续试验,并进行了冠状动脉造影（CAG）或冠状动脉CT血管造影（CTA）检查。分别以冠状动脉狭窄≥50%、≥75%为冠心病诊断标准,以CAG或CTA结果为对照标准,应用四格表计算三磷酸腺苷和多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影诊断冠心病的敏感度、特异度和准确性。 结果冠状动脉狭窄≥50%为冠心病诊断标准时,以CAG或CTA结果为对照标准,三磷酸腺苷负荷超声造影诊断冠心病的敏感度、特异度、准确性分别为56%、96%、77%;多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影的诊断敏感度、特异度、准确性分别为76%、96%、86%。多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影的诊断敏感度和准确性均高于三磷酸腺苷负荷超声造影。冠状动脉狭窄≥75%为冠心病诊断标准时,以CAG或CTA结果为对照标准,三磷酸腺苷负荷超声造影诊断冠心病的敏感度、特异度、准确性分别为81%、97%、94%;多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影的诊断敏感度、特异度、准确性分别为88%、98%、95%。多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影的诊断敏感度、特异度和准确性均高于三磷酸腺苷负荷超声造影。 结论多巴酚丁胺负荷超声造影诊断冠心病的效能优于三磷酸腺苷负荷超声造影,两者联合应用既增加了检查的安全性又提高了诊断阳性率。     

超声心动图探测在心电图无明显ST-T改变的冠心病中诊断意义:基于冠脉血流速度联合室壁运动

目的 研究超声心动图检测患者冠状动脉相关血流速度联合节段性室壁运动对经心电图检测ST-T段未见明显改变的冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病中的诊断意义。方法 回顾性分析2020年1月～2021年6月在我院心内科住院的经冠脉造影证实为冠心病且血管狭窄大于50%但未完全闭塞的患者并进行心电图检查,将其中无明显ST-T段改变的患者40例作为冠心病组;同时选取冠状动脉造影证实血管狭窄小于50%的患者30例作为对照组,所有的患者均在入院期间进行超声心动图检查,观察冠状动脉血流及室壁运动情况。结果 冠心病组中冠脉舒张期血流速度高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。超声心动图显示舒张期节段性血流峰值流速对诊断冠心病的准确性为92.3%,敏感度为82.4%,特异性为90%,临界值为94.5 cm/s;节段性室壁运动诊断冠心病的敏感度为55.9%,特异性为86.7%,二者联合诊断冠心病的敏感度为84.2%,特异性为92.5%。结论 超声心动图对冠状动脉血流速度联合节段性室壁运动情况可以明显提高无明显ST-T改变的冠心病患者的诊断率,有利于减少临床上对冠心病患者的误诊率。     

二维斑点追踪超声心动图评估冠状动脉病变对收缩早期左心室心肌运动的影响

目的观察采用二维斑点追踪超声心动图(2D-STE)评估冠状动脉病变对收缩早期左心室心肌运动影响的可行性。方法将179例接受冠状动脉造影检查的可疑冠心病患者的左心室心肌节段按供血冠状动脉狭窄程度分为对照组(无狭窄)、轻度组(狭窄程度≤50%)、中度组(50%<狭窄程度<75%)和重度组(狭窄程度≥75%)。采用2D-STE分析各组左心室心肌节段纵向预拉伸峰值应变(LPSS)和圆周预拉伸峰值应变(CPSS)的差异。结果左心室各层心肌LPSS和CPSS峰值于收缩早期出现,轻度组均最高(P均<0.05),中度组最低(P均<0.05);冠状动脉轻度狭窄时收缩早期左心室心肌拉伸运动加强,随着冠状动脉病变加重而逐渐减弱。结论2D-STE可无创评估冠状动脉病变对收缩早期左心室心肌运动的影响。     

纵向、径向及周向二维应变评价冠心病患者左心室局部收缩功能异常

目的 应用二维应变超声心动图定量分析静息状态下冠心病患者局部心肌纵向、径向及周向的收缩期峰值应变,了解静息状态下冠状动脉狭窄对左室局部心肌收缩功能的影响.方法 26例冠心病患者和26例健康志愿者接受超声检查,获取心尖四腔观、二腔观及左心长轴观和左室短轴观(二尖瓣环、乳头肌和心尖水平)二维灰阶图像,分析各个心肌节段的纵向、径向和周向的收缩期峰值应变.按左室18节段划分法,将26例冠心病患者的共194个病变心肌节段按供血冠脉狭窄程度分为两组:A组为冠脉狭窄≤70%供血的心肌,B组为冠脉狭窄>70%供血的心肌.结果 A组共90个节段.其纵向收缩期峰值应变(SL)明显低于对照组(P<0.05),而径向收缩期峰值应变(SR)和周向收缩期峰值应变(SC)低于对照组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);B组共104个节段,其SL、SR和SC均明显低于对照组(P<0.05),A组和B组之间SL、SC和SR的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 二维应变超声心动图能准确评价冠心病患者左室局部收缩功能异常,局部心肌SL、SR和SC的变化町反映冠脉狭窄严重程度.     

The assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with aortic defects

Thirty patients with aortic heart disease and 10 healthy persons were examined for diastolic function of the left ventricle using two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. The decline of the rate and volume of early diastolic filling, the rise of the filling during the atrial systole were revealed in 60% of the patients with aortal disease. The decrease of the ejection fraction of the left ventricle was noted in 23.3% of the patients. All the patients with aortic disease were distributed into 2 groups depending on the presence (group II) or lack (group I) of mitral regurgitation. Addition of mitral regurgitation in patients with aortic disease masked the deranged filling of the left ventricle and interfered with the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction. A reverse moderately pronounced relationship (r = -0.56) has been discovered between the myocardial mass and impairment of the diastolic filling.     

Early assessment of coronary flow reserve by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography predicts late remodeling in reperfused anterior myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular integrity is an essential determinant of favorable late outcome in reperfused myocardial infarction. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) can be assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and provides a functional estimate of microvascular integrity downstream from the patent infarct-related vessel. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effects of CFR in predicting late left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with reperfused acute anterior myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty. METHODS: In all, 31 patients admitted with acute anterior myocardial infarction underwent primary angioplasty of the infarct-related vessel. After angioplasty, angiographic thrombosis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade and myocardial blush were scored. On the first day, all underwent stress echocardiography and CFR evaluation of left anterior descending coronary artery by transthoracic Doppler. All patients had resting 2-dimensional echocardiography at 1, 3, and 6 months for assessment of LV function. RESULTS: CFR could be successfully assessed in 31 patients. After 6 months 5 patients showed LV dilatation (group I), whereas 26 patients did not show significant variation (group II). On day 1, CFR was higher (group I = 1.43 +/- 0.11 vs group II = 1.67 +/- 0.26, P =.005) and the deceleration time of diastolic left anterior descending coronary artery flow velocity was longer (group I = 212 +/- 41.4 milliseconds vs group II = 286 +/- 106.7 milliseconds, P <.02) in patients without, compared with those with LV remodeling, whereas there was no difference in angiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Early assessment of CFR and the pattern of baseline diastolic coronary flow velocity by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is feasible, safe, and more useful than angiographic indices in identifying patients at high risk of remodeling in spite of successful primary angioplasty.     

斑点追踪成像技术评价冠状动脉不同狭窄程度患者的左室扭转运动

目的 应用斑点追踪成像(STI)技术评价冠状动脉不同狭窄程度患者左室扭转运动的特点及规律性.方法 临床拟诊为冠心病患者117例,根据冠状动脉造影或冠状动脉CT结果分成心肌梗死组(60例)、心肌缺血组(31例)及对照组(26例),常规超声测量左室收缩及舒张末期内径(LVDs,LVDd)、容积(LVVESV,LVEDV)及射血分数(LVEF),组织多普勒测量二尖瓣后瓣环收缩期峰值运动速度(S')及Tei指数,运用STI技术分析左室二尖瓣水平与心尖水平旋转运动、整体扭转运动,测定旋转角度/率、扭转角度/率.结果 与心肌缺血组及对照组比较,心肌梗死组LVDd、LVDs、LVEDV、LVESV及Tei指数均增大,LVEF及S'减低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).与对照组比较,心肌梗死组及心肌缺血组左室心尖水平旋转角度/率、二尖瓣水平旋转率、扭转角度/率均减低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),以心肌梗死组减低更为显著(P<0.01).左室整体的扭转角度与LVEF呈较强的正相关(r=0.618,P<0.001).结论 冠心病患者的冠状动脉狭窄程度越严重,左室整体的扭转运动受损越明显,以心肌梗死组减低更为显著.应用STI评价左室的扭转运动与常规超声参数相比较,能更好地反映心肌缺血患者的左心室收缩运动.     

超声心动图对川崎病冠状动脉病变及心功能变化的评价

目的探讨超声心动图诊断川崎病冠状动脉病变及心功能变化.方法超声心动图检查76例川崎病患儿,测量冠状动脉内径,是否存在冠状动脉瘤、血栓和冠脉狭窄,测量房室内径,计算心功能,观察是否有瓣膜返流.结果在受检的76例川崎病患儿中有冠状动脉损害的29例,其中单纯左冠状动脉主干病变16例,双支病变9例,7例发生冠状动脉瘤,1例冠状动脉主干血栓形成.川崎病患儿的左室收缩和舒张功能与正常对照组相比无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论超声心动图可实时观察冠状动脉病变程度及其进展及转归,是检测川崎病冠状动脉病变及心功能变化的有效手段.     

Sublingual Nitroglycerin Delays Arterial Wave Reflections Despite Increased Aortic “Stiffness” in Patients with Hypertension: A Doppler Echocardiography Study

Venodilatation with consequent reduction in left ventricular filling and end-diastolic wall stress is an important mechanism for the beneficial effects of nitroglycerin in ischemic heart disease and in left ventricular failure. The effects of sublingual nitroglycerin on arterial pulsatile hemodynamics are less well defined. Doppler echocardiography and the calibrated subclavian artery pulse tracing were used to assess hemodynamics in subjects with sustained arterial hypertension (n = 25) before and 5 to 10 minutes after sublingual deposition of 0.5 mg glyceryl trinitrate. Aortic characteristic impedance was calculated by averaging the modulus of the input impedance (ratio of pressure to flow) at high frequencies and by calculating the ratio of pressure and flow increments during upstroke. The pressure wave was split into forward and backward components, and the reflection coefficient (the ratio of backward to forward pressures) was calculated. Parameters of the arterial bed were estimated by using 2- and 3-element Windkessel models. Nitroglycerin delayed the return of arterial wave reflections by 17% (P =.02) and increased aortic characteristic impedance by 20% (P =. 01), but it did not influence total arterial compliance. Mean arterial pressure decreased 7% (P =.0001), but pulse pressure did not change. Stroke volume and the acceleration time of aortic root flow decreased by 13% (P =.0001) and 8% (P =.01), respectively. Cardiac output decreased 7% (P =.01), despite an increase in heart rate of 10% (P =.0001). Peripheral resistance tended to decrease (4%, P =.06). Thus, in subjects with sustained hypertension, sublingual nitroglycerin dilates peripheral, predominantly muscular arteries with a subsequent delayed return of reflected pressure waves. Reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system with consequent increased acceleration of left ventricular ejection seems to counteract the effect of reduced mean arterial pressure (distending pressure) with respect to the "stiffness" of the aorta.     

Comparison of Treadmill Exercise Echocardiography Before and After Exercise in the Evaluation of Patients with Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the feasibility and accuracy of peak treadmill exercise echocardiography versus postexercise echocardiography imaging. BACKGROUND: Although peak exercise echocardiography has been reported for both supine and orthostatic bicycle exercise and has shown higher sensitivity than postexercise imaging, acquiring images at peak exercise with treadmill has not been explored. METHODS: Peak and post-treadmill exercise echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed on 89 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Positive exercise echocardiography was defined as necrosis or ischemic response. Positive coronary angiography was defined as >/=1 diseased vessels (>/=50% luminal narrowing). Images were analyzed in a blind manner by an expert observer. RESULTS: Postexercise images were acquired within 80 seconds after exercise (40 +/- 14). Mean heart rate (bpm) was 139 +/- 22 at peak versus 118 +/- 25 at postexercise imaging (P <.001). Interpretable peak and postexercise images were obtained for all 89 patients. Of the 72 classified as having positive exercise echocardiography, 23 had new regional wall motion abnormality at peak (21 with positive angiography), which resolved at postexercise imaging. Sensitivity was higher with peak than with postexercise imaging (94% vs 73%, P <.001). Specificity was similar (68% vs 79%), as was predictive positive value (92% vs 93%). Negative predictive value was again higher with peak imaging (76% vs 44%, P <.05). Total accuracy was higher with peak imaging (89% vs 74%, P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Peak treadmill exercise echocardiography is technically feasible and has higher sensitivity and accuracy than post-treadmill exercise echocardiography. Therefore in the clinical setting peak exercise echocardiography should be performed to diagnose ischemia.     

Multiple aortic root echoes: clinical, radiographic, and angiographic correlations

Multiple diastolic echoes in the aortic root on M-mode echocardiography may represent fibrosis or calcification of the aortic wall, aortic leaflets, or proximal portions of the coronary arteries. In this study, 83 patients with multiple diastolic echoes were evaluated by cardiac fluoroscopy and the incidence of valvular, coronary, and aortic wall calcification was determined. In patients with multiple diastolic echoes who have no evidence of significant aortic stenosis (aortic valve opening less than or equal to 1.0 cm) or aortic insufficiency (fine fluttering of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve), the presence of multiple diastolic echoes was highly associated with significant coronary artery calcification (64%) with over two-thirds having multivessel involvement. Patients referred for echocardiography who are free of significant aortic stenosis or aortic insufficiency by echocardiographic criteria who are found to have multiple diastolic echoes in the aortic root should be evaluated further for the possible presence of significant multivessel coronary artery disease.     

Simultaneous analysis of wall motion and coronary flow reserve of the left anterior descending coronary artery by transthoracic doppler echocardiography during dipyridamole stress echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) can be measured in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) by dipyridamole transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (DTTDE). This information may critically improve the diagnostic accuracy of dipyridamole stress echocardiography, which is limited by moderate sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the feasibility and accuracy of value of DTTDE. METHODS: We evaluated 752 consecutive patients (478 men; mean age, 64.7 years) referred for dipyridamole stress echocardiography. The diastolic velocity in the LAD was continuously monitored with pulsed Doppler at baseline and during hyperemia induced by the infusion of 0.84 mg/kg of dipyridamole. CFR was calculated as the ratio of maximal and basal diastolic velocity; a value < 2 was considered to indicate decreased CFR. Wall motion was assessed semiquantitatively. Coronary angiography was performed in 132 patients the week after DTTDE. RESULTS: Adequate tracings were obtained in 95% of patients studied (715 of 752). In the subset of 132 patients undergoing coronary angiography, 71 patients (group A) showed a nonsignificant (<70%) and 61 patients (group B) a significant stenosis of the LAD. In group A, 65 had a normal wall-motion response (91.5% specificity) and 19 patients showed a decreased CFR (73.2% specificity; P =.1). In group B, new wall-motion abnormalities were seen in 42 patients (68.8% sensitivity), whereas CFR was decreased in 52 patients (86.8% sensitivity; P <.02). CONCLUSION: Simultaneous assessment of wall motion and CFR of the LAD with DTTDE was highly feasible and safe. The information about CFR had a significantly higher sensitivity than the analysis of wall motion during dipyridamole stress echocardiography.