Early Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography.
10.4070/kcj.2003.33.2.155
- Author:
Duk Hyun KANG
1
;
Soo Jin KANG
;
Young Hak KIM
;
Eun Sun HWANG
;
Jong Min SONG
;
Kee Joon CHOI
;
Myeong Ki HONG
;
Jae Kwan SONG
;
Seong Wook PARK
;
Seung Jung PARK
;
You Ho KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Cardiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Echocardiography;
Myocardial ischemia;
Chest pain
- MeSH:
Acute Coronary Syndrome*;
Chest Pain;
Early Diagnosis*;
Echocardiography*;
Electrocardiography;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Ischemia;
Mortality;
Myocardial Infarction;
Myocardial Ischemia;
Perfusion;
Prospective Studies;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Troponin I
- From:Korean Circulation Journal
2003;33(2):155-162
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Without typical electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, and the elevation of cardiac enzymes, the early identification of high risk chest pain patients remains a major challenge. We hypothesized that myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was more sensitive than conventional echocardiography (Echo) for the identification of high risk patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 75 consecutive patients (age ; 62+/-11 yrs, 34 men), presenting to the emergency room, with suspected cardiac chest pain at rest. The exclusion criteria for enrolment were : age <40 yrs, the presence of a Q wave or ST segment elevation, an initial troponin I level >1.5 ng/mL and a poor Echo window. Echo and MCE were performed to evaluate regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), and assess myocardial perfusion defects (PD), using a continuous infusion of PESDA during intermittent power Doppler harmonic imaging. The Echo and MCE studies were interpreted by different reviewers, blinded to the clinical data. We defined major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as mortality, myocardial infarction (MI) and severe ischemia requiring revascularization. RESULTS: There were 35 MACE, including 12 MI, during hospitalization. No significant differences were found in the clinical characteristics between patients with, or without, MACE. A RWMA or a PD were seen in 18 (24%) and 27 (36%) of patients, respectively, and the sensitivity, specificity of RWMA were 46 and 95% for a MACE, and 59 and 86% for a MI. The sensitivity and specificity of a PD were 69 and 93% for MACE, and 88 and 79% for MI, respectively. CONCLUSION: The assessment of a PD by MCE is clinically feasible, and a MCE can improve the sensitivity of Echo in identifying high risk chest pain patients.
