[Exercise echocardiography in coronary disease]

Exercise echocardiography is a new method used in the investigation of coronary disease. It evaluates the repercussions on regional contractile function of the increase in oxygen consumption induced by physical exercise. It makes it possible to analyse in real time not only the amplitude of endocardial displacement, but also that of parietal thickening and thereby seems to be more precise than conventional ergonomic tests in the diagnosis of myocardial ischaemia. Its recent development owes much to the advent of digital technologies which make it easier and more accurate to interpret the changes observed in left ventricular regional kinetics by comparing the data at rest with those recorded at peak physical effort. When associated with an equally non-invasive ergometric test it is well accepted by the patients. Another of its advantages is its moderate cost. Echocardiographists must devote as much time as necessary to training. Training is indispensable to rapidly capture the images, particularly during efforts, and to reliably interpret the variations observed in left ventricular wall contraction. Exercise echocardiography is still under evaluation. Experience is lacking for the cardiologist to choose, only on its results, the most appropriate treatment for each individual patient, but its help will be appreciated in some difficult therapeutic decisions. Behind this phase of training for, and evaluating this technique several of its main clinical indications can already be outlined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)