An echocardiographic clue for ostial left main coronary artery stenosis

• Main Authors: Firdevs Aysenur Ekizler, Ozcan Ozeke, Adem Grbolar, Kenan Omurlu, Zehra Golbasi, Omac Tufekcioglu, Erdogan Ilkay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-05-01
• Series: Indian Heart Journal
• Subjects: Bedside echocardiography; Left main coronary artery stenosis
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019483216310306

Calcified nodules in human coronary arteries are usually focally distributed. Non-invasive imaging of coronary arteries by bedside emergency transthoracic echocardiography in adults is possible and may become a useful adjunct to other methods of coronary artery examination. Coronary artery stenosis can be identified as localized color aliasing and accelerated flow velocities. Complete visualization of individual ostial coronary segments might ease the demonstration of coronary stenosis by bedside transthoracic echocardiography. The left main coronary artery stenosis requires prompt emergency evaluation and treatment because emergency conditions have higher mortality rates. The authors wish to emphasize the usefulness of emergency bedside echo-Doppler for a prompt diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition.