Digital high frame rate stress echocardiography for detection of coronary artery stenosis by high dose dipyridamole stress testing

Diagnostic accuracy of high dose dipyridamole stress echocardiography (0.84 mg i.v./kg) for detecting coronary artery stenosis was assessed in 94 patients undergoing coronary angiography, and adverse effects were registered in the total study population of 120 patients. Echocardiographic analysis was performed with digital systolic cineloops with high frame-rate (47 frames/sec) for optimal left ventricular wall motion display. Results showed sensitivity of 73% for detection of arterial luminal stenosis 75% or retrograde collateral flow to an occluded coronary artery. Sensitivity for detection of 1-vessel stenosis was 43% (6 of 14 patients), and for 2- and 3-vessel disease 79% (19 of 24) and 88% (16 of 18), respectively. Specificity was 92% (35 of 38), diagnostic accuracy 81%. The stenosed coronary artery was correctly localized in 85% of positive tests. Dipyridamole-induced increase in wall motion score index differed significantly between patients with 1-, 2-, and 3-vessel disease (0.02 ± 0.17, 0.15 ± 0.17, and 0.27 ± 0.24, respectively), and early positive tests (dipyridamole dose of 0.56 mg/kg) were almost exclusively seen in patients with multivessel disease. Six patients (5%) developed symptomatic bradycardia and hypotension during the test. In conclusion, dipyridamole stress echocardiography is useful for detection and localization of coronary artery stenosis, particularly in patients with multivessel disease.The work was supported by a grant from the Norwegian Council on Cardiovascular Diseases, Oslo, Norway.     

Absence of myocardial dysfunction during cold pressor stress echocardiography in patients with endothelial dysfunction

Background: Several methods are available for the assessment of coronary endothelial function, but there are no reports to date regarding the usefulness of cold pressor stress echocardiography (CPSE). Objective: To assess regional systolic and diastolic left ventricular function using CPSE in patients with endothelial dysfunction. Methods: We studied 24 patients, of whom 10 were men, aged 27 to 68 years, who had coronary risk factors and a normal exercise MP-SPECT test. They were compared with 10 normal subjects (6 men), aged 21 to 44 years. All patients underwent a CPSE. Results: The cold pressor-MP-SPECT revealed myocardial ischemia in 10 patients (Group I) and was normal in 14 patients (Group II). All normal subjects (Group III) had normal cold pressor-MP-SPECT. The cold pressor test caused a significant increase in systolic BP in the three groups (baseline 117 ± 17 mmHg vs. postcold test 137 ± 16 mmHg, P < 0.05), without changes in heart rate, PR interval, or the corrected QT interval. During the CPSE, no patient developed WMA in 2D echo or changes in regional systolic or diastolic LV function in the pulsed Doppler tissue imaging. Conclusions: In patients with endothelial dysfunction and no known coronary artery disease, the ischemic response to the cold pressor-MP-SPECT is not accompanied by WMA or changes in regional systolic or diastolic LV function during CPSE. Such negative findings indicate that the amount of ischemia that occurs secondarily to endothelial dysfunction does not involve sufficient myocardial mass to cause contractile dysfunction.     

Dobutamine stress echocardiography: its role in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

We have assessed the usefulness of dobutamine infusion for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease by using two-dimensional echocardiography and 12-lead electrocardiogram. Dobutamine was infused at incremental doses (up to a maximum of 40 micrograms kg-1 min-1) in 52 patients with chest pain; all the patients underwent coronary angiography; significant coronary artery disease was quantitatively defined as greater than or equal to 50% diameter stenosis. Thirty-six patients were on betablockers. The test was considered positive when new regional wall motion abnormalities appeared during dobutamine infusion. No significant side effects occurred in any patient during the test. Transient wall motion abnormalities were detected in 20 of 37 patients with coronary artery disease (sensitivity = 54%); ischaemic ST segment changes were present on ECG in nine patients (sensitivity = 24%). Dobutamine stress echocardiography was negative in 12 of 15 patients with coronary artery diameter stenosis less than 50% (specificity = 80%). Exercise electrocardiography (ECG) was performed in 35 of these 52 patients. Maximum heart rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher during exercise than during dobutamine stress test (127 +/- 23 vs 99 +/- 24 beats min-1, P less than 0.0001; 179 +/- 25 vs 152 +/- 30 mmHg, P less than 0.0001). The exercise ECG test was positive in 12 of the 26 patients with significant coronary artery disease (sensitivity = 46%), and dobutamine stress echocardiography in 16 (sensitivity = 62%). Dobutamine stress echocardiography test is a safe and feasible diagnostic test for the noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease and can be performed in patients unable to exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

心电图与超声心动图综合评价Lev氏病的研究

目的分析Lev氏病的心电图、超声心动图特征和临床表现。方法对11例Lev氏病患者的心电图表现及超声心动图特征进行分析,同时进行1～10年的随访。结果 11例患者心电图表现为双侧束支(包括分支)传导阻滞,超声心动图检查均有不同程度的心脏瓣膜和(或)瓣环钙化,2例临床表现为劳累后出现胸闷、头晕、黑矇、偶发晕厥,3例活动后头晕、胸闷,其余6例临床症状均不明显。结论有双侧束支传导阻滞,发病年龄≥60岁的患者,超声心动图检查有不同程度的心脏瓣膜和(或)瓣环钙化,无其他器质性心脏病,可考虑Lev氏病。     

The prognostic value of exercise stress echocardiography – Validation of a newly implemented method in our center

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the validity and prognostic value of exercise stress echocardiography, as a newly introduced method at our workplace, over the medium-term time horizon.Methods and resultsBetween February 2014 and May 2017, 204 patients (63% males, 60 ± 11 years) underwent exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) due to stable symptoms including chest pain or exertional dyspnea, with a known or suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD). A pre-test probability of IHD was 45 ± 17%. The contrast agent was used in 25 (12%) patients. Positive test: new appearance of wall motion abnormalities in at least two adjacent left ventricular segments. The test complication rate was 0%.ESE was positive in 13 (6%) patients, 10 of them (77%) had a significant coronary artery stenosis. ESE was nondiagnostic (patients failed to achieve 85% of maximum predicted heart rate) in 27 (13%) patients.During the follow-up (median 17, IQR 8–29 months) 195 patients (96%) were successfully contacted. 2 (1%) patients died of malignancy, 68 (33%) were referred to coronary angiography, 2 (1%) had unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 2 (1%) had myocardial infarction (MI), 12 (6%) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or surgical revascularization. Patients with positive test result: n = 13 (6%): 9 (69%) underwent revascularization due to significant coronary artery stenosis, 2 (15%) had MI. Patients with non-diagnostic test n = 27 (14%): 2 (7%) died of malignancy, 1 patient underwent PCI. Patients with negative diagnostic test n = 164 (80%), 2 cases of new-onset angina pectoris within 12 months following the testing (PCI was performed).The negative predictive value (death, MI, UAP, revascularization) of negative diagnostic test was 98.8%.ConclusionExercise stress echocardiography in hands of an experienced operator is a safe and valuable method. Negative result of a diagnostic exercise stress echocardiography has, based on our experience, an excellent negative predictive value concerning cardiovascular morbidity and mortality within the 17 month-time median.     

Extent and severity of test positivity during dobutamine stress echocardiography. Influence on the predictive value for coronary artery disease.

AIMS: Recent studies have evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and predictive value of dobutamine echocardiography without considering the additional information implied by the magnitude of induced wall motion abnormalities. We sought to evaluate the positive predictive value of dobutamine echocardiography for coronary artery disease from the extent and severity of the induced wall motion abnormality. In addition, we intended to determine factors associated with false-negative dobutamine echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent dobutamine echocardiography (up to 40 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)+atropine up to 1 mg) and coronary angiography. The number of segments and the degree of deterioration were used to describe the extent and severity of induced wall motion abnormality. Analysis of clinical, procedural and echocardiographic variables was performed to determine factors associated with false-negative results. The positive predictive value of dobutamine echocardiography increased from 85% to 90%, 94% and 94% with deterioration of wall motion by one grade in >/=1, >/=2, >/=3 and >/=4 segments, respectively (P<0.05). Deterioration of wall motion by two grades in one segment had a positive predictive value of 96% as compared to 85% for deterioration by only one grade in one segment (P<0.05). Patients with false-negative test results received atropine more frequently (28% vs 13%, odds ration [OR]=3.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.54-9.75, P=0.028) than patients with a correct positive result. However, angina (15 vs 37%, OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.09-0.71, P=0.010), ECG changes during dobutamine stress (15% vs 35%, OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.19-1.25, P=0.014) and high image quality (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.07-2.37, P=0.015) were less frequent. The sensitivity of dobutamine echocardiography increased from 67% to 71% and 86% (P<0.05) with increasing achieved maximal heart rate (<75%, 75-85% and >85% of maximal heart rate). CONCLUSION: The positive predictive value of dobutamine echocardiography increases significantly as the extent and severity of induced wall motion abnormality increases. Thus, the degree of test positivity should be reported in clinical practice. Despite high pharmacological drug doses, the haemodynamic response may still be insufficient in some patients to induce myocardial ischaemia, resulting in false-negative dobutamine echo tests. To maximize the sensitivity of dobutamine echocardiography, the highest haemodynamic stress level, with a heart rate above 85% of the predicted heart rate, should be reached.     

Pharmacological stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and myocardial ischaemia: a comparison between dobutamine and dipyridamole.

The objective of this study was to relate regional wall motion abnormalities assessed by dobutamine and dipyridamole stress echocardiography to quantitative measurements of coronary artery stenoses in consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography, and to compare haemodynamic effects of and complications related to the two agents. Patients underwent stress echoes on separate days in random sequence and had coronary angiography within 3 days of stress echocardiography. Echocardiograms were assessed by two investigators unaware of the patients' coronary anatomy. Coronary angiograms were also assessed quantitatively using the computer-assisted Cardiovascular Angiography Analysis System. There were 46 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography; 28 were using beta-antagonists. Main outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity for dobutamine and dipyridamole stress echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease (wall motion abnormalities at rest or stress) and myocardial ischaemia (stress induced new wall motion abnormalities). Sensitivity for the detection of myocardial ischaemia was found to be 57% for dobutamine and 64% for dipyridamole. Specificities were 78% and 89% respectively. Sensitivities for detection of coronary artery disease (lesion > or = 50% diameter stenosis) was 79% for dobutamine and 82% for dipyridamole; specificities were 78% and 89% respectively. These differences between the two agents are not significant. There were no severe side effects with either agent. Mean heart rate rose significantly with both tests but was higher with dobutamine; mean systolic blood pressure rose with dobutamine and fell with dipyridamole. It was concluded that dobutamine and dipyridamole stress echocardiography have similar sensitivities and specificities for detection of myocardial ischaemia and coronary artery disease although the haemodynamic effects of the two agents are different. Both are free from serious complications.     

Comparison of squatting stress echocardiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Background: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is commonly used for the diagnosis for coronary artery disease (CAD). We previously demonstrated that squatting induces wall motion abnormalities (WMA) in areas subtended by stenotic coronary arteries. Objective: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that dobutamine and squatting stress echocardiography are equally useful for the diagnosis of CAD. Methods: We studied 39 patients who were scheduled to have coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain. Each patient had squatting stress echocardiography followed by DSE. For squatting stress echocardiography the echocardiogram in standard views was recorded in the standing position. The procedure was repeated during squatting for 2 minutes. Dobutamine echocardiography was performed using standard protocol. The squatting and dobutamine stress echocardiograms were interpreted by an observer blinded to the results of coronary angiography. Results: During squatting, new or worsening WMA developed in 20 patients. Six patients developed WMA in the left anterior descending artery territory, three in circumflex territory, three in the right coronary artery territory, and eight in multiple coronary territories. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of squatting echocardiography for diagnosis of CAD were 95%, 94%, and 94%, respectively. For DSE, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of CAD were 85%, 94%, and 90%, respectively. There was no significant difference between squatting and dobutamine stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of CAD (P = 0.702). Conclusion: These data indicate that squatting and dobutamine echocardiography are equally useful in the diagnosis of CAD. In selected patients, squatting echocardiography may be used in place of dobutamine echocardiography for the diagnosis of CAD. (Echocardiography 2012;29:695–699)     

Comparison of exercise stress testing with simultaneous dobutamine stress echocardiography and technetium-99m isonitrile single-photon emission computerized tomography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease

The object of our study was to compare the value of exercisestress testing with simultaneous dobutamine stress echocardiographyand technetium-99m isonitrile singlephoton emission computedtomography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Sixty-ninepatients with either suspected or proven coronary artery diseaseunderwent simultaneous dobutamine technetium-99m isonitrilesinglephoton emission computed tomography and stress echocardiography,and treadmill exercise electrocardiography. Dobutamine echocardiographyand technetium-99m isonitrile single-photon emission computedtomography revealed a higher overall sensitivity than exercisetesting (94 vs 60% P<0·001), but dobutamine stressechocardiography showed a higher specificity than both technetium-99misonitrile single-photon emission computed tomography and exercisetesting (86 vs 64%, P<0·05, for both tests). In addition,the diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiographyand technetium-99m isonitrile single- photon emission computedtomography was higher than that of exercise testing (91 vs 61%,P<0·001; 86 vs 61%, P<0·001, respectively). Dobutamine stress echocardiography and technetium-99m isonitrilesingle-photon emission computed tomography are superior to exercisetesting in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, and dobutaminestress echocardiography can act as an alternative to technetium-99misonitrile single-photon emission computed tomography.     

The surgeon's use of epicardial echocardiography during repair of congenital heart defects

Intraoperative echocardiography in the evaluation of congenital heart defects is a useful method to evaluate surgical anatomy, adequacy of repair, and ventricular performance. Since 1987, 733 patients have undergone epicardial echocardiography during repair. The routine use of this technique has led to the reduction in the need for both early and late reoperation.     

Differential value of adenosine myocardial contrast echocardiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography in evaluating functional significance of coronary artery stenosis in a porcine model

Aim Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) during adenosine induced hyperemia is an experimental method that detects flow limiting coronary artery stenosis by visualizing myocardial perfusion defects. Noninvasive detection of flow limiting coronary artery stenosis in clinical routine is a frequent domaine of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) visualizing ischemia related regional wall motion abnormalities. This study investigated the values of adenosine MCE and DSE in the detection of functionally significant coronary artery stenosis in an experimental open chest pig model. Methods A total of 28 proximal LAD stenoses were instrumented in 12 animals. Reduction of coronary blood flow reserve (Δ CFR [%]) was calculated as a marker of functional significance of coronary artery stenosis (mild to moderate stenosis: Δ CRF ≤ 50%; severe stenosis: Δ CFR > 50%). Fractional area shortening (FAS) and wall thickening (WT) were calculated to evaluate regional wall motion. Peak myocardial contrast intensities (PCI) were measured following aortic root injections of Levovist' to detect myocardial perfusion defects. Results As a group, severe stenosis significantly reduced wall motion response to dobutamine (Δ FAS: 12.0 ± 3.0%, vs. 20 ± 3.0% without stenosis, p < 0.05; Δ WT: 2.2 ± 0.9 mm vs. 0.0 ± 0.8 mm without stenosis, p < 0.05) and diminished myocardial opacification during hyperemia (PCI: 59 ± 8 units vs. 143 ± 16 units without stenosis, p < 0.05). Mild to moderate stenosis did not influence wall motion but reduced myocardial opacification (PCI 89 ± 14 units vs. 143 ± 16 units). PCI correlated more closely with alterations in CFR (r = −0.7, p < 0.0001) than did FAS (r = −0.5, p < 0.002) or WT (r = −0.2, p = 0.3). Conclusion Adenosine myocardial contrast echocardiography detects flow limiting coronary artery stenosis and compares favorably to regional wall motion analysis during dobutamine infusion. Received: 22 May 2000 / Returned for 1. revision: 26 June 2000 / 1. Revision returned: 11 September 2000 / Returned for 2. revision: 11 October 2000 / 2. Revision returned: 21 December 2000 / Accepted: 15 January 2001     

Cost-effectiveness of stress echocardiography for assessment of coronary artery disease: what we know and what we need to know.

AIMS: This review explores the balance between the incremental data supplied by stress echocardiography and its cost. This technique is now established as an accurate tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and myocardial viability, but the current medical-economic environment mandates careful consideration of the impact of the results on patient outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: The tools for assessment of cost and efficiency are reviewed. Two considerations are explored for controlling costs; avoidance of testing in those who will derive limited incremental data, and appropriate selection of stress echocardiography rather than other stress techniques. The balance between diagnostic accuracy and cost is explored in observational studies and computer models. Finally, the prognostic implications of testing are evaluated and data from the stress testing literature are explored to show that more effective patient selection for interventions may justify greater expenditure on testing. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate selection of patients for testing has a significant evidence base. The cost of identifying coronary disease has been examined in a number of studies and facilitates the selection between testing modalities. Prognostic data are increasingly available, and further work is needed to combine this with cost analysis in order to show that stress echocardiography, like other stress modalities, may be used to guide therapy and thereby improve cost-effective outcomes.     

Interpretation of left ventricular wall motion during stress testing

This article describes the obstacles to stress echocardiographic interpretation, and reviews the techniques currently available that offer a more objective approach to stress wall motion analysis than the conventional visual methodology. These techniques include Doppler-based methods, such as myocardial Doppler velocity and strain rate imaging, as well as automated border detection techniques, such as acoustic quantification and color kinesis.     

Prognostic value of left ventricular volume response during dobutamine stress echocardiography

AIMS: An abnormal left ventricular volume response during dobutamineechocardiography identified patients with severe coronary arterydisease. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic valueof left ventricular volume changes during dobutamine stressechocardiography in 136 patients. MEHTODS AND RESULTS: Endpoints were defined as spontaneous cardiac events at follow-up.Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume changes(abnormal response: >10% and >20> decrease, respectively)were compared with other clinical and stress test variables.During 18±7 months of follow-up, 31 cardiac events occurred:12 hard events (cardiac death [n=6 myocardial infarction [n=6])and 19 soft events (unstable angina [n=16] congestive heartfailure [n=3] End-diastolic volume response (P=0·006),diabetes (P=0·008), inducible wall motion abnormalities(P=0·024), end-systolic volume response (P=0·039)and inducible angina (P=0·038) were related to a greaterlikelihood of cardiac events. The Cox regression analysis revealedend-diastolic volume response (odds ratio: 3·0; CI 1·44–6·32)and diabetes (odds ratio: 2·7; CI 1·28–5·69)to be independent predictors of spontaneous cardiac events.Diabetes (odds ratio: 4·0; CI 1·26–12·80)and >40% baseline ejection fraction (odds ratio: 2·21;CI 1·14–4·29) were independent predictorsof hard events. CONCLUSIONS: An abnormal end-diastolic volume response during dobutaminestress echocardiography identifies patients with an unfavourableoutcome; they should be considered for more accurate prognosticstratification.     

Non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease by quantitative stress echocardiography: optimal diagnostic models using off-line tissue Doppler in the MYDISE study.

AIMS: To develop optimal methods for the objective non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease, using myocardial Doppler velocities during dobutamine stress echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: We acquired tissue Doppler digital data during dobutamine stress in 289 subjects, and measured myocardial responses by off-line analysis of 11 left ventricular segments. Diagnostic criteria developed by comparing 92 normal subjects with 48 patients with coronary disease were refined in a prospective series of 149 patients referred with chest pain. Optimal diagnostic accuracy was achieved by logistic regression models, using systolic velocities at maximal stress in 7 myocardial segments, adjusting for independent correlations directly with heart rate and inversely with age and female gender (all p<0.001). Best cut-points from receiver-operator curves diagnosed left anterior descending, circumflex and right coronary disease with sensitivities and specificities of 80% and 80%, 91% and 80%, and 93% and 82%, respectively. All models performed better than velocity cut-offs alone (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease by quantitative stress echocardiography is best performed using diagnostic models based on segmental velocities at peak stress and adjusting for heart rate, and gender or age.     

Prognostic value of left atrial size in hypertensive African Americans undergoing stress echocardiography

BACKGROUNDLeft atrial (LA) enlargement is a marker of increased risk in the general population undergoing stress echocardiography. African American (AA) patients with hypertension are known to have less atrial remodeling than whites with hypertension. The prognostic impact of LA enlargement in AA with hypertension undergoing stress echocardiography is uncertain. AIMTo investigate the prognostic value of LA size in hypertensive AA patients undergoing stress echocardiography.METHODSThis retrospective outcomes study enrolled 583 consecutive hypertensive AA patients who underwent stress echocardiography over a 2.5-year period. Clinical characteristics including cardiovascular risk factors, stress and echocardiographic data were collected from the electronic health record of a large community hospital. Treadmill exercise and Dobutamine protocols were conducted based on standard practices. Patients were followed for all-cause mortality. The optimal cutoff value of antero-posterior LA diameter for mortality was assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Cox regression was used to determine variables associated with outcome.RESULTSThe mean age was 57 ± 12 years. LA dilatation was present in 9% (54) of patients (LA anteroposterior ≥ 2.4 cm/m²). There were 85 deaths (15%) during 4.5 ± 1.7 years of follow-up. LA diameter indexed for body surface area had an area under the curve of 0.72 ± 0.03 (optimal cut-point of 2.05 cm/m²). Variables independently associated with mortality included age [P = 0.004, hazard ratio (HR) 1.34 (1.10-1.64)], tobacco use [P = 0.001, HR 2.59 (1.51-4.44)], left ventricular hypertrophy [P = 0.001 , HR 2.14 (1.35-3.39)], Dobutamine stress [P = 0.003, HR 2.12 (1.29-3.47)], heart failure history [P = 0.031, HR 1.76 (1.05-2.94)], LA diameter ≥ 2.05 cm/m² [P = 0.027, HR 1.73 (1.06-2.82)], and an abnormal stress echocardiogram [P = 0.033, HR 1.67 (1.04-2.68)]. LA diameter as a continuous variable was also independently associated with mortality but LA size ≥ 2.40 cm/m² was not.CONCLUSIONLA enlargement is infrequent in hypertensive AA patients when traditional reference values are used. LA enlargement is independently associated with mortality when a lower than “normal” threshold (≥ 2.05 cm/m²) is used.