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Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
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Thoracic aortic plaques, transoesophageal echocardiography and coronary artery disease

Lucka Sekoranja1, Cédric Vuille, Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli

  • 1Cardiology Centre and Division, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. lucka.sekoranja@excite.com

Swiss Medical Weekly
|April 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Detecting atherosclerotic aortic plaques using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a strong indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD). This non-invasive method can help identify patients needing further cardiac evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta are a known risk factor for cardiovascular events.
  • Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an imaging technique used to visualize cardiac and vascular structures.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) detection of aortic plaques as a potential marker for coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To assess the correlation between aortic plaque characteristics (number, surface area, depth, location) and the presence and severity of CAD.

Main Methods:

  • 102 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery had their thoracic aortas assessed via TEE.
  • Atherosclerotic plaques were defined by specific thickness and morphological criteria.
  • All participants had prior coronary angiography to confirm CAD status.

Main Results:

  • Aortic plaques were detected in 73 patients, with 66 having confirmed CAD.
  • TEE detection of aortic plaques showed 90% sensitivity and 76% specificity for significant CAD.
  • Plaque characteristics like area, depth, and number correlated with CAD presence, with plaques being the strongest predictor regardless of age and sex.

Conclusions:

  • Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) visualization of atherosclerotic aortic plaques serves as a valuable non-invasive marker for significant coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • The absence of aortic plaques in patients over 70 years old suggests a very low likelihood of CAD in this subgroup.
Abstract

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