Evaluation of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis by transesophageal ultrasonography: value and limits as predictive factor of coronary disease

Atherosclerotic disease in the aorta is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. This prospective study was conducted to correlate the presence of aortic plaques in the thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and angiographically significant coronary artery disease. The presence of aortic plaques on TEE had a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 80% and positive and negative predictive values of 89% and 94%. Univariate logistic regression revealed that aortic plaques were the most significant independent predictor factor of coronary artery disease compared to other risk factors. This study reveals that the thoracic aortic plaques detected by TEE is a strong predictor of the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease.