Demonstration of Pathologic Coronary Flow Dynamics using Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography: Its Potential Role in Clinical Decision-Making

ABSTRACT

With advancements in high frequency transducers, transesophageal (TEE) and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) are emerging as promising methods for the evaluation of coronary arteries. In addition to visualizing images for the detection of stenosis of the proximal and distal coronary arteries, as well as various kinds of coronary artery anomalies, the functional assessment through measurement of the coronary flow reserve using TEE and TTE have become valuable and additive tools for coronary angiography that define only the epicardial coronary arteries. Further efforts to develop new techniques, including real time 3D echocardiography, in the anatomic and functional assessments of coronary artery disease should be undertaken.