Demonstration of Coronary Artery Flow Using Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is emerging as a promising method for evaluating coronary artery disease. After a period of training, detection and measurement of distal left anterior descending coronary artery flow with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is feasible in more than 90% of the patients. Using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography with a high-frequency transducer and special setting of low Nyquist limits, pathologic coronary flow dynamics can be demonstrated. Measurement of coronary flow reserve may impact diagnosis or clinical treatment in those: (1) with anginal chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries; (2) with intermediate-grade coronary obstruction where the physiologic significance is in doubt; and (3) who have had an attempt at revascularization and the effectiveness of the therapy is uncertain.