VALUE OF TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGING IN DIAGNOSING CORONARY ARTERY INVOLVEMENT IN PATIENTS SUSPECTED OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence regarding the application of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters in assessing the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).<br />Objective: To determine the value of TDI parameters to assess the presence and severity of CAD.<br />Methods: Fifty consecutive patients suspected of CAD and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals were assessed using TDI to assess both systolic and diastolic parameters. Those with a previous history of myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or left ventricular systolic dysfunction were not included. The patients underwent coronary angiography to determine the presence and severity of CAD.<br />Results: Comparing echocardiographic left ventricular systolic and diastolic parameters between the patients and healthy groups showed lower mean E, A, S', E', and A' parameters as well as higher mean E/A ratio and deceleration time parameters in the patient group than in the healthy controls. Also, comparing the right ventricular systolic and diastolic parameters between the patient and healthy groups revealed that the former group had a significantly lower mean Eparameter than the healthy group.<br />Conclusion: TDI velocity indices had a high value in the diagnosis of the left ventricular dysfunction due to CAD and thus can be a good option to discriminate CAD from healthy condition.