Value of transthoracic echocardiography for the detection of left main coronary artery obstruction in patients undergoing coronary angiography
Benha Medical Journal. 2003; 20 (1): 223-234
in English
| IMEMR
| ID: emr-136034
ABSTRACT
To determine the clinical feasibility and reliability of transthoracic echocardiography for the detection of significant Left Main Coronary Artery [LMCA] obstructions in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Sixty patients [thirty with normal LMCA; group A and thirty with angiographically proven LMCA disease; group B] were studied to evaluate the feasibility of use 2-D echocardiography to detect the LMCA disease. Visualization of the LMCA was attempted in all patients using a parasternal short-axis view at the level of the aortic root with the transducer in the third or fourth left intercostal space, with 30°Clockwise rotation, or apically from a five-chamber view with cranial angulation of the transducer. Evidence of LMCA stenosis was defined qualitatively as an area of apparent luminal narrowing, usually as a result of high-intensity echoes, with visualization of a larger lumen beyond that area. The LMCA was successfully imaged by 2-D echo in 51 [85%] of the sixty patients studied; 26[86.66%] patients in group A and 25 [83.33%] patients in group B. Echocardiographic criteria of LMCA stenosis were noted in 24 patients 22 from group B [true positive] and two from group A [false positive]. The LMCA appeared normal on echocardiographic examination in 27 patients; 24 from group A [true negative] and 3 from group B [false negative]. The sensitivity of echocardiography for detection of significant lesion of the LMCA was 88%, specificity was 92.31% and accuracy was 90.2%. These findings are encouraging and indicate that echocardiography can be a practical mean of detecting or excluding obstruction of the LMCA and it may be a useful adjunct to coronary arteriography because it can alert the arteriographer to the potential presence of a LMCA disease
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Index:
IMEMR (Eastern Mediterranean)
Main subject:
Echocardiography
/
Coronary Angiography
/
Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Benha Med. J.
Year:
2003
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