Korean Circ J.  2002 Oct;32(10):856-863. 10.4070/kcj.2002.32.10.856.

Clinical Usefulness of Noninvasive Measurement of Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve with Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography for Detection of Restenosis after Revascularization of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

• Kim J
• Whang ES
• Song JK
• Lee SW
• Lee JW
• Song JM
• Kang DH
• Lee CW
• Hong MK
• Kim JJ
• Park SW
• Park SJ

• KMID: 1938825
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2002.32.10.856

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The measurement of the coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR) using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been reported to be useful for assessing the physiological significance of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of CFR by TTDE for diagnosis of restenosis following revascularization procedures.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Patients who were scheduled for follow-up coronary angiography following percutaneous intervention, or coronary bypass, surgery for a LAD lesion were enrolled. Prior to the follow-up coronary angiography, flow velocities in the distal LAD were measured by TTDE, both at rest and during the intravenous infusion of adenosine. CFR was defined as the ratio of the hyperemic to the basal peak diastolic velocities. Angiographic restenosis was defined as a diameter stenosis of more than 50% of the normal value by a quantitative coronary angiography. Of 142 consecutive patients, measurement of the CFR was possible in 95% (n=135), with 39 patients having a myocardial infarction in the LAD territory. The remaining 96 patients were used as the subjects ofin this study.
RESULTS
The diameter stenosis was 41+/-26%, with angiographic restenosis found in 33 patients (34%). The mean CFR by TTDE was 2.5+/-1.1. CFR <2.0 was used to diagnose restenosis, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79% (26/33) and 89% (56/63), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The noninvasive measurement of the CFR with TTDE is highly feasible, and can be a useful diagnostic modality for restenosis of a LAD following a revascularization procedure.

Keyword

Coronary disease; Blood flow velocity; Echocardiography, doppler

MeSH Terms

Adenosine
Blood Flow Velocity
Constriction, Pathologic
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Disease
Coronary Vessels*
Diagnosis
Echocardiography, Doppler*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Myocardial Infarction
Reference Values
Sensitivity and Specificity
Adenosine