Additional help to diagnose functionally significant left main coronary artery stenosis: doppler echocardiography

Hellenic J Cardiol. 2010 Nov-Dec;51(6):540-3.

Abstract

Doppler echocardiography is a widely used non-invasive method for the evaluation of coronary flow velocities and reserve. We report a case that demonstrates the possible additive role of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the diagnosis of significant left main coronary artery (LM) stenosis in a chest pain patient. Coronary angiography showed no significant LM stenosis. During TTE with pulsed-Doppler measurements, a significant increase in coronary flow velocities could be demonstrated in the distal LM. Intravascular ultrasound confirmed a significant soft plaque in the distal LM. The present case suggests that Doppler TTE may have an additional role in the diagnosis of significant LM stenosis in symptomatic patients. A colour Doppler flow acceleration with high velocities in the LM could raise the suspicion of significant LM stenosis, even if the stenosis cannot be detected by standard coronary angiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional