Noninvasive coronary imaging and assessment of left ventricular function using 16-slice computed tomography

In recent years, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been demonstrated to be a feasible imaging modality for noninvasive coronary angiography and left ventricular function analysis. The present study evaluated overall performance of 16-slice MSCT in the detection of significant coronary artery disease, stent, or bypass graft stenosis in combination with global left ventricular function analysis. Forty-five patients underwent 16-slice MSCT. Multislice computed tomograms were used to evaluate the presence of significant coronary artery stenoses (>/=50% decrease in luminal diameter) in native coronary segments, bypass grafts, and coronary stents and were compared with conventional coronary angiograms. In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated and compared with 2-dimensional echocardiography. MSCT was performed successfully in all patients. A close correlation between MSCT and 2-dimensional echocardiography was demonstrated for the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (y = 0.93x +3.33, r = 0.96, p <0.001). A total of 298 of native coronary artery segments (94%) were evaluated with MSCT, whereas 81 of 94 grafts (85%) and 41 of 52 coronary stents (79%) were also evaluated. For all segments, overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 85%, 89%, 71%, and 95%, respectively. In conclusion, 16-slice MSCT is a feasible modality for noninvasive evaluation and exclusion of coronary artery disease in patients who present with chest pain.     

Assessment of global and regional left ventricular function and volumes with 64-slice MSCT: a comparison with 2D echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), LV function and volumes are important parameters for long-term prognosis. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) allows noninvasive assessment of the coronary arteries, but the accuracy of 64-slice MSCT for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and function is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: A head-to-head comparison between 64-slice MSCT and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography was performed in 40 patients with known or suspected CAD. The LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) were determined and the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was derived. Regional wall motion was assessed visually using a 17-segment model. A 3-point scoring system was used to assign to each segment a wall motion score: 1 = normokinesia, 2 = hypokinesia, 3 = akinesia or dyskinesia. Two-dimensional echocardiography served as the gold standard. MSCT agreed well with 2D echocardiography for assessment of LVEDV (r = 0.97; p < .0001) and LVESV (r = 0.98; p < .0001). An excellent correlation between MSCT and 2D echocardiography was shown for the evaluation of LVEF (r = 0.91; p < .0001). Agreement for the assessment of regional wall motion was excellent (96%, kappa = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: An accurate assessment of global and regional LV function and volumes is feasible with 64-slice MSCT.     

Relation Between Exercise-Induced Left Ventricular Wall Motion Abnormalities and Coronary Artery Disease in Hypertensive Patients Effects of Blood Pressure Normalization

In hypertension, several factors disturb coronary circulation and the metabolic reserve of the heart. This study was undertaken to test whether in hypertensive patients global and regional left ventricular (LV) function is related during exercise to the presence of significant coronary stenosis and whether lowering of coronary perfusion pressure through rapid normalization of the diastolic pressure may modify the dynamics of the left ventricle.Thirty-five patients with mild to moderate hypertension undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain were included in the study; upright bicycle exercise echocardiography tests were performed without therapy and 1 day later 1 h after sublingual administration of nifedipine. LV ejection fraction and regional wall motion scores were evaluated and compared at baseline, peak exercise, immediate postexercise, and recovery phases in each test through digital on-line storing of echocardiographic images.Twenty-one patients had normal coronary arteries (group 1) and 14 significant coronary stenoses (group 2); age, gender, heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular diameter and mass index, and ejection fraction were similar in the two groups. At peak exercise LV ejection fraction slightly increased in group 1, whereas it slightly decreased in group 2 (both during the test without therapy and after nifedipine administration). All patients in group 1 had normal left ventricular wall motion during exercise; 13 of 14 patients in group 2 had LV wall motion abnormalities at peak exercise. Nifedipine did not produce any effect on LV regional wall motion in group 1, but it induced significant changes in LV regional wall motion in seven patients in group 2. Changes in LV wall motion between the two test groups were related to the number of the stenotic coronary vessels: the normal exercise test before and after therapy and the two normalized tests after nifedipine administration were in fact observed in patients with one-vessel disease, whereas worsening or changes in the site of ischemia were observed only in patients with multivessel disease.Regional and global left ventricular dynamics during exercise is mainly dependent on the existence of significant coronary artery disease. Rapid decrease of blood pressure does not alter the regional dynamics of the left ventricle during exercise in patients without coronary artery disease, but it may induce normalization, worsening, or changes in the site of wall motion abnormalities in hypertensives with significant coronary stenoses.     

Usefulness of coronary flow reserve over regional wall motion when added to dual-imaging dipyridamole echocardiography

Vasodilator stress echocardiography allows semi-simultaneous imaging of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary flow and regional wall function. To assess the relative (and additive?) value of regional flow and function for noninvasive identification of angiographically assessed LAD disease in patients with chest pain syndrome, we studied 230 consecutive in-hospital patients (134 men, aged 63.5 +/- 11 years) with chest pain syndrome and normal regional and global left ventricular function. All patients underwent stress echocardiography with dipyridamole (up to 0.84 mg/kg over 10 minutes), including wall motion analysis by 2-dimensional echocardiography and coronary flow reserve (CFR) evaluation of the LAD artery by Doppler, with or without contrast injection. A new regional wall motion abnormality in >or=2 contiguous segments was required for 2-dimensional echocardiographic positivity. CFR was evaluated as the ratio of dipyridamole to peak diastolic coronary blood flow velocity at rest. All patients underwent coronary angiography within 60 days; a quantitatively assessed diameter reduction >50% of the LAD artery was considered significant. Of the 230 patients, 70 had LAD disease. A regional wall motion abnormality in LAD territory was present in 52 patients, and reduced CFR (<1.9) in 62 patients. Sensitivity for detecting LAD disease was 74% for 2-dimensional echocardiography (95% confidence interval [CI] 64% to 84%) and 81% for CFR <1.9 (95% CI 72% to 90%); specificity was 91% (95% CI 87% to 96%) for 2-dimensional echocardiography and 84% for CFR (95% CI 79% to 90%). Accuracy was 86% for 2-dimensional echocardiography (95% CI 82% to 91%) and 83.5% for CFR (95% CI 79% to 88%). When 2-dimensional echocardiography and CFR criteria were considered, sensitivity increased to 93% (95% CI 87% to 99%), with 80.6% specificity (95% CI 74.5% to 86.7%). CFR was assessed during vasodilator stress echocardiography. Its diagnostic accuracy for detecting LAD disease was comparable to regional wall motion abnormalities. However, the data for flow and function can be complementary in terms of predicting underlying angiographic anatomy, because abnormal wall motion can include coronary artery disease, and negative CFR can exclude it.     

Two-dimensional echocardiographic estimation of right ventricular ejection fraction in patients with coronary artery disease

Two-dimensional echocardiographic determination of right ventricular ejection fraction was compared with right ventricular ejection fraction obtained by first pass radionuclide angiography in 39 patients with coronary artery disease. Apical four chamber and two chamber right ventricular views were obtained in 34 (87%) of the 39 patients, while a subcostal four chamber view was obtained in 31 patients (80%). Right ventricular ejection fraction by two-dimensional echocardiography was calculated by the biplane area-length and Simpson's rule methods using two paired orthogonal views and utilizing a computerized light-pen method for tracing the right ventricular endocardium. A good correlation (r = 0.74 to 0.78) was found between radionuclide angiographic and two-dimensional echocardiographic right ventricular ejection fraction for each method used. Patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction had the lowest right ventricular ejection fraction by radionuclide angiography and two-dimensional echocardiography (p less than 0.05 compared with patients with right coronary artery obstruction and no infarction). There were no differences in right ventricular ejection fraction between patients with acute and old inferior myocardial infarction by both techniques. No correlation was found between left and right ventricular ejection fraction by radionuclide angiography (r = 0.16). It is concluded that 1) right ventricular ejection fraction by two-dimensional echocardiography correlates well with radionuclide angiographic measurements and can reliably evaluate right ventricular function in coronary artery disease, 2) patients with inferior myocardial infarction have reduced right ventricular ejection fraction, and 3) changes in left ventricular ejection fraction do not directly influence right ventricular function.     

多层螺旋CT在冠状动脉支架术后的应用

目的：探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)冠状动脉成像在冠状动脉支架术后的应用价值。方法：21例患者在放置冠状动脉支架后行MSCT冠状动脉成像，其中5例与选择性冠状动脉造影进行了对照。结果：21例的27枚冠状动脉支架中，能满足影像学评价的有25枚，占92％，不能满足评价的有2枚，占8％；5例同时作导管法冠状动脉造影者两种检测方法结果相同。结论：MSCT冠状动脉成像是一种简便易行，安全有效的无创性检查方法，可作为冠状动脉支架术后随访观察的手段。     

Comparison of radionuclide angiography with three echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function in patients after myocardial infarction

Aims. Left ventricular function is an important outcome measure in patients with coronary artery disease, in particular in patients after myocardial infarction. It is reliably assessed by radionuclide angiography, but echocardiographic wall motion scoring might be an attractive alternative. Methods. Four days after reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction both radionuclide angiography and echocardiography were performed in 90 patients. Segmental wall motion scoring (WMSI) and visual estimation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was done by 2 independent observers. Repeated analysis was performed 1 month after the first reading. In 41 patients the LVEF was assessed quantitatively by tracing of endocardial outlines of the left ventricle. Results. Both correlation with radionuclide angiography (estimated LVEF: r = 0.71, WMSI: r = – 0.68, Tracing: r = 0.59) and inter- and intra-observer variability (estimated LVEF: 19% and 15%, WMSI: 65% and 59%) were in favour of the LVEF estimation method. Correlation with radionuclide angiography measurements was related to the quality of the echocardiogram and to the extent of coronary artery disease. Conclusion. Simple echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients after reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction proved to be superior to quantitative assessment of ejection fraction and to segmental wall motion scoring in comparison with radionuclide angiography.     

Global biventricular dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic coronary artery disease may be caused by myocarditis

BACKGROUND: The causal role of asymptomatic critical coronary artery obstruction in patients presenting with severe global biventricular dysfunction but no evidence of myocardial infarction is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 291 patients aged >40 years undergoing a noninvasive (2-dimensional echocardiography) and invasive (catheterization, coronary angiography, and biventricular endomyocardial biopsy, 6 to 8 samples/patient) cardiac study because of progressive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) with global biventricular dysfunction and no history of myocardial ischemic events, 7 patients (2.4%; 7 men; mean age, 49+/-6.9 years) had severe coronary artery disease (3 vessels in 4 patients; 2 vessels in 1 patient, proximal occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery in 2 patients). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction by 2-dimensional echocardiography were 73+/-10.5 mm and 23+/-6.5%, respectively, and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter and ejection fraction were 39+/-7 mm and 29+/-7.2%, respectively. Biopsy specimens showed extensive lymphocytic infiltrates with focal myocytolysis meeting the Dallas criteria for myocarditis in all patients (in 5 patients with and 2 patients without fibrosis). Cardiac autoantibodies were detected with indirect immunofluorescence in the serum of 2 patients with active myocarditis. The 2 patients with active inflammation received prednisone (1 mg. kg-1. d-1 for 4 weeks followed by 0.33 mg. kg-1. d-1 for 5 months) and azathioprine (2 mg. kg-1. d-1 for 5 months) in addition to conventional drug therapy for heart failure. At 8-month overall follow-up, cardiac volume and function improved considerably in immunosuppressed patients but remained unchanged in conventionally treated patients, of whom 1 died. CONCLUSIONS: Global biventricular dysfunction in patients with severe asymptomatic coronary artery disease and no evidence of previous myocardial infarction may be caused by myocarditis. Histologic findings may influence the treatment.     

Echocardiographic detection of coronary artery disease: Detection of effects of ischemia on regional myocardial wall motion and visualization of left main coronary artery disease

M mode and cross-sectional echocardiographic studies at rest have been used to detect regional left ventricular wall motion abnormalities as a sign of hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease. These techniques have proved to be fairly specific but not highly sensitive. Detection of new regional wall motion abnormalities with cross-sectional echocardiography during exercise appeared practical in 80 percent of patients in preliminary studies; the finding of such abnormalities is highly specific for the presence of coronary artery disease and, with this approach, the sensitivity of echocardiography is improved. Thus, patients with anatomically severe coronary artery disease on angiography may not manifest an echocardiographic abnormality in regional wall motion even during exercise. The direct noninvasive detection of the left main coronary artery in up to 90 percent of patients studied with cross-sectional echocardiography using the short axis or apical approach, or both, has been well defined. A high sensitivity and specificity of detecting anatomically severe left main coronary artery disease using the criteria of both luminal impingement and the presence of high intensity echoes have been confirmed. Further advances in imaging techniques may allow for better definition of the coronary arterial treë.     

Noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease by multislice spiral computed tomography using a new retrospectively ECG-gated image reconstruction technique.

The present study was designed to investigate the accuracy of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in detecting coronary artery disease, compared with coronary angiography (CAG), using a new retrospectively ECG-gated reconstruction method that reduced cardiac motion artifact. The study group comprised 54 consecutive patients undergoing MSCT and CAG. MSCT was performed using a SOMATOM Volume Zoom (4-detector-row, Siemens, Germany) with slice thickness 1.0 mm, pitch 1.5 (table feed: 1.5 mm per rotation) and gantry rotation time 500 ms. Metoprolol (20-60 mg) was administered orally prior to MSCT imaging. ECG-gated image reconstruction was performed with the reconstruction window (250 ms) positioned immediately before atrial contraction in order to reduce the cardiac motion artifact caused by the abrupt diastolic ventricular movement occurring during the rapid filling and atrial contraction periods. Following inspection of the volume rendering images, multiplanar reconstruction images and axial images of the left main coronary artery (LMCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCx) and right coronary artery (RCA) were obtained and evaluated for luminal narrowing. The results were compared with those obtained by CAG. Of 216 coronary arteries, 206 (95.4%) were assessable; 10 arteries were excluded from the analysis because of severe calcification (n=4), stents (n=3) or insufficient contrast enhancement (n=3). The sensitivity to detect coronary stenoses >or=50% was 93.5% and the specificity to define luminal narrowing <50% was 97.2%. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 93.5% and 97.2%, respectively. The sensitivity was still satisfactory (80.6%) even when non-assessable arteries were included in the analysis. The new retrospectively ECG-gated reconstruction method for MSCT has excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting significant coronary artery stenoses.     

Usefulness and limitations of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of proximal coronary artery stenosis.

To assess the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of proximal coronary artery stenosis, 111 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years) who had intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and coronary angiography within 1 week of surgery were studied. Transesophageal echocardiography visualized the entire length of the left main artery (0.2 to 2.2 cm, mean 0.93), 0.2 to 2.2 cm of the proximal left anterior descending artery and 0.1 to 3.4 cm of the proximal left circumflex artery in 103 patients (93%) and 0.1 to 4.6 cm of the proximal right coronary artery in 55 patients (49%). In the coronary artery segments visualized by echocardiography and compared with the corresponding angiographic segments, transesophageal echocardiography correctly identified 23 (96%) of 24 left main stenoses, 11 (78%) of 14 stenoses involving the left anterior descending artery, 6 (75%) of 8 left circumflex stenoses and all 7 stenoses (100%) of the right coronary artery. In all seven patients with ostial stenosis (left main artery in five and right coronary artery in two), the condition was correctly diagnosed by this technique. The sensitivity and specificity of transesophageal echocardiography in the overall evaluation of proximal coronary artery stenosis as customarily defined by angiography were 96% and 99% for the left main artery, 48% and 99% for the left anterior descending artery, 67% and 100% for the left circumflex artery and 37% and 100% for the right coronary artery, respectively. The distance of the stenotic lesion from the origin of the vessel by transesophageal echocardiography also correlated well with that measured by angiography (r = 0.63 to 0.99).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multislice computed tomography in an asymptomatic high-risk population

Approximately 50% of all acute coronary syndromes occur in previously asymptomatic patients. This study evaluated the value of multislice computed tomography for early detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in high-risk asymptomatic subjects. One hundred sixty-eight asymptomatic subjects with >or=1 major risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, family history, or smoking) and an inconclusive or unfeasible noninvasive stress test result (stress electrocardiography, echocardiography, or nuclear scintigraphy) were evaluated in an outpatient setting. After clinical examination and laboratory risk analysis, all patients underwent multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) coronary angiography within 1 week. In all subjects, conventional coronary angiography was also carried out. Multislice computed tomography displayed single-vessel CAD in 16% of patients, 2-vessel CAD in 7%, and 3-vessel CAD in 4%. Selective coronary angiography confirmed the results of multislice computed tomography in 99% of all patients. Sensitivity and specificity of MSCT coronary angiography were 100% and 98%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 95% and a negative predictive value of 100%. In conclusion, MSCT coronary angiography is an excellent noninvasive technique for early identification of significant CAD in high-risk asymptomatic patients with inconclusive or unfeasible noninvasive stress test results.     

Anatomic and functional significance of a hypotensive response during supine exercise radionuclide ventriculography

The significance of a decline in systolic blood pressure (BP) during supine exercise was examined in 820 patients who underwent both supine exercise gated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography and coronary angiography. Twenty-seven patients, 3% of the study population, had a decrease in systolic BP at peak exercise of more than 10 mm Hg from the systolic BP at rest. Other indicators of ischemia--angina, ST-segment depression, a decrease in ejection fraction and wall motion abnormality during exercise--were present frequently but not uniformly in these patients. Although most patients had a decline in ejection fraction and a new wall motion abnormality with exercise, 4 patients had an increase in ejection fraction with exercise without any regional wall motion abnormalities. Coronary angiography in the 27 patients with systolic hypotension demonstrated severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-two patients (81%) had 3-vessel or left main CAD. Twenty of these 22 patients with 3-vessel CAD had at least 2 arteries with 90% or more diameter stenoses. Systolic hypotension during supine exercise radionuclide angiography is infrequent, usually associated with evidence of global and regional left ventricular dysfunction, and a marker of very severe CAD.     

Comparison of LVEF Obtained with Single-Plane RAO Ventriculography and Echocardiography in Patients with and without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) determined by invasive ventriculography (routine cardiac cath; LV-gram) was compared with that determined by echocardiography in 100 patients scheduled for angiography (86% had LV-gram and 2DE during same hospital admission). Seventy percent of patients had at least single-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease, defined as more than 50% stenosis. By all estimates, the LVEF was higher in patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to patients with CAD. There was an excellent correlation between the LVEF by cath and echo, but this correlation was noticeably less strong in patients with CAD, especially with involvement of the left circumflex artery.     

多排螺旋CT冠脉成像与冠脉造影对冠心病诊断的对比研究

目的初步评价多排螺旋CT（MSCT）在冠状动脉成像中的临床应用价值。方法18例疑诊冠状动脉狭窄患者行MSCT扫描,利用影像曲面重建,3D重建,了解冠状动脉病变情况,并与冠状动脉造影（CAG）对比。结果18例76支血管同时经MSCT和CAG成像。CAG发现狭窄27支,其中左前降支（LAD）病变11支,回旋支（LCA）病变3支,左主干（LMA）2支,右冠（RCA）病变9支,桥支病变2支。MSCT发现狭窄24支,其中LAD病变11支,LCA病变3支,LMA病变1支,RCA病变7支,桥支病变2支。MSCT与CAG结果相符的病变血管22支,MSCT成像的敏感性为82%（22/27）,特异性96%（47/49）。结论在控制心率的情况下MSCT可作为冠状动脉狭窄的一种无创筛选检查方法。     

Exercise digital subtraction ventriculography for the detection of ischaemic wall motion abnormalities in patients without myocardial infarction

Digital subtraction angiography permits high resolution imaging of the left ventricle after an intravenous injection of contrast medium. The capacity of digital subtraction angiography to detect ischaemic wall motion abnormalities was tested in 150 consecutive patients without myocardial infarction who were referred for coronary angiography. Digital ventriculograms were considered to be abnormal if there was a severe wall motion abnormality at rest or if segmental wall motion deteriorated after exercise. The global ventricular response to exercise was considered to be abnormal if the ventricular ejection fraction computed by the Dodge area length formula was less than 50% at rest or failed to increase after exercise. Seventy eight (52%) of these subjects had stenosis of greater than 50% of at least one major coronary artery. In 36 (24%) more than one major coronary vessel was affected. Sensitivities for the detection of stenoses greater than 50% coronary obstruction were 82% and 69% for an abnormal segmental wall motion response and an abnormal ejection fraction response respectively. The specificity of these test responses was 76% and 68% respectively. No complications resulted from the digital ventriculographic studies. It is concluded that safe adequate digital ventricular imaging at rest and after exercise is possible and that an abnormal wall motion response is a sensitive indicator of important coronary obstructive disease.     

Left main coronary artery disease: radionuclide angiographic function versus anatomic correlates with visual and quantitative angiographic methods

The results of exercise radionuclide angiography in 29 patients with significant left main coronary artery stenosis were examined to correlate functional left ventricular performance with anatomic severity of left main coronary artery stenosis. Change in ejection fraction, regional wall motion, and peak ejection fraction were widely variable; none of these parameters correlated with severity of left main stenosis as assessed by visual or quantitative angiographic methods. Twenty-five patients (86%) had two or more of the following indicators of ischemia with exercise: chest pain, significant ST-segment depression, systolic hypotension, definite decrease in ejection fraction, or definite decline in regional wall motion. However, four patients (14%) had only mild abnormalities in ejection fraction and regional wall motion, although they did have hemodynamic and electrocardiographic evidence of severe ischemia. Exercise radionuclide angiography yields heterogeneous results in patients with significant left main coronary artery stenosis. Anatomically severe left main coronary artery stenosis is not always associated with mechanical evidence of severe ischemia.     

Exercise digital subtraction ventriculography for the detection of ischaemic wall motion abnormalities in patients without myocardial infarction.

Digital subtraction angiography permits high resolution imaging of the left ventricle after an intravenous injection of contrast medium. The capacity of digital subtraction angiography to detect ischaemic wall motion abnormalities was tested in 150 consecutive patients without myocardial infarction who were referred for coronary angiography. Digital ventriculograms were considered to be abnormal if there was a severe wall motion abnormality at rest or if segmental wall motion deteriorated after exercise. The global ventricular response to exercise was considered to be abnormal if the ventricular ejection fraction computed by the Dodge area length formula was less than 50% at rest or failed to increase after exercise. Seventy eight (52%) of these subjects had stenosis of greater than 50% of at least one major coronary artery. In 36 (24%) more than one major coronary vessel was affected. Sensitivities for the detection of stenoses greater than 50% coronary obstruction were 82% and 69% for an abnormal segmental wall motion response and an abnormal ejection fraction response respectively. The specificity of these test responses was 76% and 68% respectively. No complications resulted from the digital ventriculographic studies. It is concluded that safe adequate digital ventricular imaging at rest and after exercise is possible and that an abnormal wall motion response is a sensitive indicator of important coronary obstructive disease.     

Value of two-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating coronary artery disease: a randomized blinded analysis

Two-dimensional echocardiography at rest was used to analyze segmental wall motion abnormalities for detecting coronary artery disease in patients with and without a history of myocardial infarction. One hundred twenty-five echocardiograms were analyzed in a randomized, blinded fashion. They were obtained from 55 consecutive patients found to have significant coronary artery disease at angiography, 59 consecutive normal subjects and 11 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The overall sensitivity of two-dimensional echocardiography was relatively low at 67%. However, specificity was 99%. The sensitivity was higher in patients with past myocardial infarction than in those without myocardial infarction (81 versus 42%), as expected. Echocardiography can detect segmental wall motion abnormalities in some patients with coronary artery disease and no overt prior myocardial infarction. This was highlighted by nine such patients with coronary artery disease and no prior myocardial infarction or electrocardiographic Q waves who were found to have segmental wall motion abnormalities. A semiquantitative, two-dimensional echocardiographic segmental wall motion score was derived for 47 patients and was correlated with angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.71). This score differentiated patients with a normal ejection fraction (greater than 50%) from those with a depressed ejection fraction (less than 50%): 1.1 +/- 1.6 versus 6.9 +/- 3.1 (p less than 0.001). Almost all patients (92%) with an echocardiographic score of five or more had an abnormal ejection fraction of less than 50%. In patients with chronic congestive heart failure, the echocardiogram separated those with dilated cardiomyopathy from those with coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transient predominant right ventricular ischemia caused by coronary vasospasm

This study describes the clinical experience with four patients with variant angina caused by spasm of the right coronary artery who were assessed for evidence of right ventricular involvement. The patients were suspected of having predominant right ventricular ischemia on the basis of normal thallium-201 scans, left ventricular ejection fraction, regional wall motion assessed by equilibrium radionuclide angiography (RNA), two-dimensional echocardiographic findings, and left ventricular hemodynamics; all procedures were performed during transient ST segment elevation in the inferior leads. Right ventricular ischemia was documented in four patients by first-pass radionuclide studies and phase analysis of RNA, and in three patients by simultaneous right and left hemodynamic monitoring. The clinical findings from these four patients are compared with those from four other patients with similar electrocardiographic changes, coronary anatomic distribution, and documented right coronary spasm but with evidence of left ventricular involvement as documented by abnormal thallium-201 scintigraphy, RNA, two-dimensional echocardiography, and left hemodynamics during ischemic episodes. Although preliminary, these data indicate the existence of prevalent right ventricular ischemia during variant angina caused by right coronary vasospasm. This condition should be suspected whenever typical anginal symptoms and/or ischemic electrocardiographic changes are accompanied by normal thallium-201 scintigraphic findings and/or normal left ventricular function as assessed by RNA, echocardiography, and left hemodynamic monitoring. Among noninvasive procedures, first-pass radionuclide study and phase analysis of RNA represent suitable techniques for detecting transient right ventricular dysfunction.