title: Comparison of real-time tri-plane and conventional 2D dobutamine stress echocardiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is an accepted tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), it requires subsequent image acquisitions of the left ventricle (LV) in order to visualize all segments. This makes the procedure relatively time-consuming and might limit its accuracy. With the introduction of matrix array transducers, the real-time simultaneous acquisition of all LV segments has become possible using multi-plane imaging. The purpose of this study was: (i) to test the feasibility and efficiency of real-time tri-plane (RT3P) imaging during DSE, (ii) to compare the accuracy of RT3P DSE in detecting CAD using coronary angiography as the reference method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six patients suspected of CAD were prospectively enrolled. Both conventional two-dimensional (2D) and RT3P imaging were performed during a DSE protocol. Coronary angiography was performed within 24 h. Ultrasound data were acquired at each stage of the DSE. The total effective acquisition time for RT3P imaging was significantly shorter (55+/-29 vs. 137+/-63 s, P<0.001). Data yield was similar for both methods (2D: 98% vs. 3D: 97%). Overall sensitivity (93%), specificity (75%), and accuracy (89%) were identical between both methods. On a segmental level, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the RT3P and the 2D DSE were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RT3P imaging fastens the DSE protocol without compromising the accuracy for the diagnosis of CAD. This could facilitate a more wide-spread use of DSE and therefore contributes positively to its routine clinical acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: D'hooge
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herbots
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sinnaeve
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dens
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanhaecke
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rademakers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress / Q000592:standards*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging