Value of Noninvasive Coronary Flow Parameters Assessment in Left Anterior Descending Artery during Exercise Stress Echocardiography
Aim of the study was to assess frequency of visualization and coronary flow parameters registration in the left anterior descending artery during exercise stress echocardiography. 840 patients with coronary heart disease referred to stress echocardiography were included in to study. All patients underwent examination on horizontal bicycle ergometer with left ventricular contractility assessment. Visualization of the left anterior descending artery and assessment of the blood flow spectrum before and during the stress echocardiography were successful in 67% of cases (64-70% - 95% confidence interval). It allowed calculating coronal flow reserve ratio. In case of the left ventricle contractility disorder left anterior descending artery blood flow was registrated in 66% of the cases (95% confidence interval - 61-71%), in patients with negative result of the test - in 74% (95% confidence interval - 70-78%) (P = 0.02). Frequency of the coronary flow visualization during the physical activity did not depend on the sex, age, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Significant negative correlation between left anterior descending artery stenosis (coronarography) and coronary flow reserve ratio (ultrasound) was revealed (r<sub>s</sub> = -0.40, P < 0.005).