Demonstration of coronary artery flow using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.
Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is emerging as a promising method for evaluating coronary artery disease. After a period of training, detection and measurement of distal left anterior descending coronary artery flow with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is feasible in more than 90% of the patients. Using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography with a high-frequency transducer and special setting of low Nyquist limits, pathologic coronary flow dynamics can be demonstrated. Measurement of coronary flow reserve may impact diagnosis or clinical treatment in those: (1) with anginal chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries; (2) with intermediate-grade coronary obstruction where the physiologic significance is in doubt; and (3) who have had an attempt at revascularization and the effectiveness of the therapy is uncertain.
Youn
Ho-Joong
HJ
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, No. 62 Yoido-dong, Youngdungpoku, St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul 150-713, Korea. younhj@catholic.ac.kr
Foster
Elyse
E
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003971:Diastole; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D006801:Humans