ABSTRACT
Aim To develop a new, modified protocol for transesophageal atrial electric stimulation (TEAES), which would significantly enhance the diagnostic value of stress echocardiography and reduce the duration of the test in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).Material and methods This study included 101 patients (80 men and 21 women aged 55±9 years) with suspected or documented diagnosis of IHD who were divided into two homogenous groups. Group 1 (51 patients) underwent stress echocardiography (stress-EchoCG) according to a standard protocol (SP) for TEAES and group 2 (50 patients), underwent stress-EchoCG according to a modified protocol (MP). In addition to stress-EchoCG with TEAES, selective coronary angiography was performed for all patients. The development of the new method for evaluating occult coronary insufficiency was based on comparison of SP and MP for TEAES with stress-EchoCG with data of coronary angiography.Results In both groups, significant differences in values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were absent. However, the values of achieved heart rate were significantly different: 141±11 (TEAES SP) and 155±10 (TEAES MP) bpm (p=0.01). There was also a difference in the duration of the TEAES protocols: 15±3 and 5±2 min, respectively (p=0.006). The use of the modified TEAES protocol for detecting transient disorders of left ventricular myocardial local contractility increased the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the test from 76â%, 87â%, and 80â% to 83â%, 92â%, and 86â%, respectively. The most significant differences were found in the area supplied by the circumflex artery: the SP and MP sensitivities were 63â% and 75â%, respectively (p<0.05) and the SP and MP accuracies were 81â% and 90â%, respectively (p<0.05).Conclusion Evaluation of occult coronary insufficiency by stress-EchoCG with the TEAES MP as compared to the TEAES SP provides a gentler procedure regimen for the patient due to a shorter duration of the test and at the same time improves the diagnostic significance of this method in IHD patients.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease , Myocardial Ischemia , Coronary Angiography , Echocardiography, Stress , Exercise Test , Female , Heart Atria , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Ischemia/diagnosis , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
AIM: To compare diagnostic value between standard stress-echocardiography and myocardial contrast stress echocardiography in detection of myocardial ischemia in patients with different severity of coronary artery stenoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Myocardial contrast stress-echocardiography and standard stress-echocardiography were performed in 38 patients with coronary artery stenoses over 50% by angiography. Of all lesions 39 were intermediate (5075%) and 33 over 75% stenoses. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) was measured in 12 coronary arteries. During myocardial contrast stress-echocardiography wall motion and myocardial perfusion was assessed. RESULTS: Adequate visualisation increased from 81.6% in unenhanced segments to 96.1% in contrast-enhanced segments. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of standard stress-echocardiography and myocardial contrast stress-echocardiography in intermediate (5075%) coronary stenoses were 44%, 83%, 56% and 56%, 94% и 64% respectively compare to angiography. Taking into account the 12 arteries with evaluated FFR, these parameters increased to 52%, 93% и 65% in standard stress-echocardiography and to 68%, 100% and 75% in myocardial contrast stress-echocardiography. In coronary stenoses over 75% the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of standard stress-echocardiography and myocardial contrast stress-echocardiography were 78%, 88%, 80% and 86%, 100%, 92% respectively Conclusion. Use of contrast-enhanced stress-echorardiography significantly increased the diagnostic value of this method by improving endocardial border visualization and possibilities of myocardial perfusion assessment.
