Direct Ultrasonic Visualization of the Coronary Arteries

Abstract

Shortly after the introduction of two-dimensional echocardiography, it became established that one could identify the proximal coronary arteries using a short-axis view of the root of the aorta [1]. Figure 1–1 shows a two-dimensional echocardiogram of the proximal left coronary artery using a 30° mechanical sector scanner on the surface of the heart at the time of autopsy [2]. It is possible to identify the left main coronary artery and the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries as the vessels lie posterior to the pulmonary artery. Figure 1–2 shows a wide-angle, two-dimensional echocardiogram of a patient demonstrating the proximal left main coronary artery and the right coronary artery.