Transthoracic ultrasonic visualization of coronary atherosclerosis

Although transthoracic ultrasonic visualization of the coronary arteries is technically demanding, many groups of investigators have demonstrated the feasibility of recording the proximal coronary arteries. Technical advances such as the introduction of anular array transducers and digital recording techniques have improved the prospect of obtaining this examination in a reasonable number of patients. It is now possible to detect atherosclerotic disease in the left main and the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in 70% to 80% of all patients. This echocardiographic technique appears to be a sensitive means of detecting coronary atherosclerosis. Preliminary data suggest that this examination may be helpful in making the differential diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.