Validity of two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Abstract EN

Background: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality both, in the developed and the developing world.

Oftentimes further diagnostic tests are needed for the diagnosis of coronary disease in addition to history and physical exam.

Few studies have been performed to compare two-dimensional resting echocardiographic findings directly with coronary angiography.

Aim of Study: This study was conducted to estimate the validity of two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Azadi General Teaching Hospital in Duhok City.

Data were collected from January 20, 2010 to May 8, 2010.

A consecutive sampling procedure was used to enroll a total of 300 adult patients (164 men) who had undergone two-dimensional echocardiography and were referred for coronary angiography.

Results: Most of the patients (86%) were 40 to 69 years old.

The overall two-dimensional echocardiographic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 58%, 88%, and 68%, respectively.

The negative predictive value of two-dimensional echocardiography was higher in women than in men (66% vs.

31%, p < 0.01).

The more coronary arteries are diseased the more echocardio-graphy corresponds to the angiographic results.

Out of the six echocardio-graphic findings, wall motion abnormality and left ventricular dysfunction showed the highest association with coronary artery disease (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The overall validity of two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease is limited.

With a better specificity than sensitivity it is useful for ruling in coronary artery disease but should not be used to rule out significant disease.