Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of the visualisation of 3D4D coronary flow in detectable segments of coronary arteries. Regarding the feasibility of this new approach, the hypothesis was proposed that the flow signals of the course of detectable coronary arteries can be better visualised by 3D4D echocardiography than by the conventional 2D approach. A total of 30 consecutive patients with sinus rhythm, in whom the distal left anterior descending artery (LAD) was visualised by 2D colour-coded Doppler echocardiography, were selected for 3D4D scanning procedures. All measurements were performed using a Vivid 7 or E9. All segments visualised by 2D colour-coded Doppler echocardiography were also examined by 3D4D echocardiography. Using defined settings, the width of the colour-coded flow signal differs significantly between 2D- and 3D4D echocardiography. The length of larger segments of the visualised colour-coded flow signal of the coronary flow could be better detected with 2D imaging. Small segments of coronary artery flow (<11 mm), however, could be significantly better visualised by 3D4D echocardiography. The main advantage of 3D4D echocardiography of the coronary artery flow is the visualisation of the proportions of vessels with complex morphology. 3D4D echocardiography of LAD flow by colour-coded Doppler echocardiography raises new possibilities for the direct flow visualisation of the detectable segments of coronaries. With its sufficiently high spatial and temporal resolution, this new method has the potential to be implemented in clinical scenarios. The possible application to the quantification of stenoses by the flow visualisation has to be evaluated in further studies.
Highlights
The visualisation of specific parts of coronary artery branches with 2D echocardiography is generally possible, but not very common in the clinical scenario
In all 30 patients, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) signal was detectable by 2D colour-coded imaging and the pulsed Doppler spectrum was suitable for evaluation of the coronary flow at rest and during vasodilatator stress
All LAD flow segments, which were imaged by 2D colour-coded Doppler echocardiography, were visualised by 3D4D echocardiography at rest
Summary
The visualisation of specific parts of coronary artery branches with 2D echocardiography is generally possible, but not very common in the clinical scenario. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is located in the anterior interventricular sulcus, which is relatively close to the chest wall. Owing to these anatomical circumstances, the distal part of the LAD can be well detected by conventional 2D transthoracic colour-coded Doppler echocardiography in almost all cases [1, 2, 3]. The middle part of the LAD as well as the distal part of the right coronary artery is detectable by 2D colour-coded Doppler echocardiography in 50–75%. The main problem for transthoracic detection of the coronaries is the circumflex territory in the lateral left ventricular region, where colour-coded flow signals of segments of the marginal branches can only be detected in 25–50% of patients [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
