Echocardiography in acute coronary syndromes

Echocardiography including 2 Dimensional, Color Doppler, Tissue Doppler Imaging, Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography, Strain and Strain rate, etc are the most powerful modalities for the assessment of myocardial performance in patients with established orsuspected acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction with a high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography has tremendous potential of evaluating microcirculation impairment especially in diagnosing the extent of myocardial damage, reversibility component at rest and at the peak levels of stress with appropriate drugs, mechanical (percutaneous coronary intervention) or surgical intervention. Echocardiography and its newer modalities are therefore, promising and valuable tools for assessment of myocardial perfusion in the setting of myocardial infarction. This article provides an overview of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of echocardiography and its newer modalities in assessment of myocardial function and performance. Timely effective evaluation of acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction by echocardiography and its newer modalities may help in early diagnosis,prognositification and warrant specific therapeutic intervention, thereby help in reducing morbidity and mortality.