Exercise stress echocardiography with probe fixated on patient's chest. (14th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wdowiak-Okrojek, K; Lipiec, P; Wejner-Mik, P; Bednarkiewicz, Z; Kasprzak, J.D
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 42(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-10-14
• Subjects: Stress Echocardiography; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Stress echocardiography (SE) has been widely used in clinical practice for decades and recently has gained even more importance in diagnostic approach to ischemic heart disease. However, it still has numerous limitations. Despite advantages of physical exercise as most physiologic stressor, it is impossible to continuously monitor the cardiac function during treadmill test and difficult to maintain an optimal acoustic window during cycle ergometer exercise test. We aimed to assess the feasibility of probe fixation for the use during exercise echocardiography. Methods: 48 subjects (47 men, mean age 42±17 years, 25 healthy volunteers, 23 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) were included in this study. All subjects underwent exercise stress test on treadmill (32 cases) or cycle ergometer (16 cases). Both sector and matrix probes were used (in 17 and 31 tests, respectively). We assessed semi-quantitatively the quality of acquired apical views at each stage using four-point grading system (0 = poor, 1 = suboptimal, 2 = acceptable, 3 = optimal). Results: The mean time required for probe fixation was 9±2 min. At baseline, 10 patients had at least one apical window of quality precluding reliable analysis. 25 patients probe repositioning during exercise (more often on treadmill). During peak exercise quality of images in all views declined, but it remained sufficient in 29 patients for diagnostic purposes. Thus, 76% of performed tests (60% for all study population) were of sufficient image quality. Conclusion: Probe fixation offers the possibility of continuous acquisition of echocardiographic images during physical exercise. However the device is suitable almost exclusively for male patients. Moreover, in some patients it requires repositioning. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: None.