[Stress echocardiography in 11 patients with symptoms of ischemia and a myocardial bridge: no indication of a causal connection in 10 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether in patients with a myocardial bridge, systolic compression of the affected coronary branch may cause cardiac ischaemia and is of clinical relevance.


METHODS
Pilot inventory.


METHODS
In 11 consecutive patients with an established myocardial bridge who presented with possible ischaemic symptoms angiographic dobutamine stress-echocardiography was used to visualize hypokinesia caused by ischaemia in the area ofmyocardium supplied by the bridged artery.


RESULTS
Hypokinesia was observed in the area supplied by the bridged artery in one of the patients (9%). The symptoms in the other patients were not associated with the bridge.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical relevance of myocardial bridging appeared to be smaller than is generally assumed. In patients with known myocardial bridging and symptoms that could be caused by myocardial ischaemia, it should first be established that the bridge is actually causing the ischaemia before any therapeutic intervention aimed at the bridge is undertaken.
van Laake
L W
LW
Atrium Medisch Centrum, afd Cardiologie, Heerlen.
Broeders
J A J L
JA
Baur
L H B
LH
Salomonsz
R
R
D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004280:Dobutamine; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018476:Hypokinesia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects
D004280:Dobutamine