Evaluation of transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of atherosclerosis of the left main coronary artery: Comparison with optical frequency domain imaging (a pilot study)

Background: Risk stratification using non-invasive imaging of the coronary vessels is emerging as an optimal standard of care for patients with dyslipidemias. Of particular interest is the evaluation of the left main coronary artery (LMCA), where calcium deposition appears to be a predictor of cardiovascular events. Methods: In coronary patients, we evaluated wall thickness and internal diameter of the LMCA examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and compared these with findings obtained by optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI), this latter also used to evaluate calcium deposition. Results: A significant positive correlation between TTE and OFDI for the anterior wall thickness (r = 0.41, p = 0.043) and internal diameter (r = 0.36, p = 0.048) of the LMCA was detected. Echocardiographic wall measurements were higher in patients with fibro-calcific plaques. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that an anterior wall thickness of LMCA ≥ 1.4 mm was predictive of fibro-calcific plaque (area under the curve = 0.815 and p = 0.006), sensitivity and specificity being 76.9% and 80%, respectively (Youden’s Index = 0.56). Conclusions: Measurement of anterior wall thickness of the LMCA by TTE and OFDI appears to be closely correlated and may predict the presence of coronary calcification.