Digital two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology Vol. 60; no. 16; pp. 1254 - 1259
• Main Authors: Presti, Charles F., Feigenbaum, Harvey, Armstrong, William F., Ryan, Thomas, Dillon, James C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.1987; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiography; Arteries; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Echocardiography; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motion Pictures; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Human; Echocardiography; Ultrasonic investigation; Coronary artery; Cardiovascular disease; Anterior intraventricular artery; Digital image; Two dimensional technique
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9149(87)90603-5

The use of 2-dimensional echocardiography to evaluate coronary artery anatomy noninvasively and directly has been primarily limited to the evaluation of the left main coronary artery. To determine the feasibility of visualization of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and assessment for atherosclerotic disease in this location, 128 consecutive patients undergoing coronary arteriography were evaluated with digital 2-dimensional echocardiography. Visualization of the proximal LAD was possible in 90 (70%) of the 128 patients. Of 45 patients with proximal LAD narrowing by angiography, digital echocardiography correctly identified 44 (98% sensitivity). In 27 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries, digital echocardiography was normal in 18 (67% specificity). In the 18 patients with an angiographically normal proximal LAD but narrowing elsewhere in the coronary system, digital echocardiographic evaluation of the proximal LAD was abnormal in 15. This initial study suggests that 2-dimensional echocardiography is a feasible technique to image the proximal LAD non-invasively in patients undergoing coronary arteriography.