Visualization & Evaluation of Proximal Segments of Coronary Arteries Using Two Dimensional High - Resolution Transthoracic Echocardiography

Abstract

In an attempt to study and evaluate the ability of high resolution transthoracic echocardiography (HR2DTTE) to visualize the proximal coronary arteries and the effact of atherosclerosis on the walls of the affected vessels, 51 individuals were examined using this technique after they had been classified into: 31 patients angiographically proven to have proximal coronary artery (ies) lesion(s) (whether significant or non-significant) and another 20 individuals with normal angiogram. In all individuals, proximal coronaries were visualized with variable lengths. Almost the whole length of the left main was seen and a relatively longer length of LAD was seen in comparison to RCA and LCX. Left circumflex artery couldn't be detected among only two individuals. For each segment seen, external diameter, internal diameter and wall thickness were measured at the site of the largest lumen to the vessel. In addition each segment was searched for obstructive or non-obstructive lesions in the vessel. Using HR2DTTE, lesions of the left main coronary artery were identified with 100% sensitivity. However, the sensitivity for proximal LAD lesions was 94.7% sensitivity of HR 2DTT was 66.6% and 71.4% to proximal RCA and LCX.