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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Three dimensional myocardial deformation and diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease
V Parisi1, G Galasso2, F Pastore3
1Department of Translational Medical Sciences - Federico II University;
Insights
Identifying non-invasive tests for coronary artery disease (CAD) is vital. This case study shows 3D speckle tracking accurately predicted the absence of severe CAD, even with positive stress tests.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Techniques
Background:
- Stable angina patients often lack obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) despite positive diagnostic tests.
- Accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tools for CAD are essential to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of 3D speckle tracking echocardiography in a high-risk patient with suspected obstructive CAD.
- To assess if normal left ventricle deformation by 3D speckle tracking can predict the absence of severe coronary artery lesions.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a high-risk patient with stable angina and positive stress tests.
- Coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement.
- Pre-angiography 3D speckle tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricle deformation.
Main Results:
- Coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive CAD, confirmed by FFR.
- 3D speckle tracking demonstrated normal left ventricle deformation.
- Normal deformation predicted the absence of severe coronary artery lesions.
Conclusions:
- 3D speckle tracking may serve as a valuable non-invasive tool to rule out severe coronary artery disease.
- This technique could potentially reduce the need for invasive coronary angiography in select patient groups.
Abstract:
To date, only one third of patients, with stable angina, undergoing coronary angiography demonstrated obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Thus, identifying high sensitivity and specificity, low-cost, non invasive tests is crucial. Here we present the case of a patient, at a high risk of CAD, undergoing coronary angiography because of positive exercise test and stress imaging results, with non obstructive coronary artery disease at angiography, confirmed by FFR. Interestingly, 3D speckle tracking, performed before angiography, assessed normal left ventricle deformation, predicting the absence of severe coronary artery lesions.
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