Abstract
Background
Stress echocardiography (SE) plays an important role among methods of noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic disease. Despite the advantages of physical exercise as the most physiologic stressor, it is difficult (bicycle ergometer) or impossible (treadmill) to obtain and maintain the acoustic window during the exercise. Recently, an innovative probe fixation device was introduced and a research plan was developed to assess the feasibility of external probe fixation during exercise echocardiography on a supine bicycle and upright treadmill exercise for the first time.
Methods
37 subjects (36 men, mean age 39 ± 16 years, 21 healthy volunteers, 16 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) were included in this study. This preliminary testing stage included mostly men due to more problematic probe fixation in women. All subjects underwent a submaximal exercise stress test on a treadmill (17/37) or bicycle ergometer (11/37). Both sector and matrix probes were used. We assessed semi-quantitatively the quality of acquired apical views at each stage – the four-point grading system was used (0-no view, 1-suboptimal quality, 2-optimal quality, 3-very good quality), 2-3 sufficient for diagnosis.
Results
The mean time required for careful positioning of the probe and image optimization was 12 ± 3 min and shortened from 13,7 to 11,1 minutes (mean) in first vs second half of the cohort documenting learning curve. At baseline, 9 patients had at least one apical view of quality precluding reliable analysis. Those patients were excluded from further assessment. During stress, 17 patients maintained the optimal or very good quality of all apical views, whereas in 11 patients the quality significantly decreased during the stress test and required probe repositioning. The mean image quality score at baseline was 2,61 ± 0,48 and 2,25 ± 0,6 after exercise. Expectedly, good image quality was easier to obtain and maintain in the supine position (score 2,74 ± 0,44) points as compared with upright position (score 2,25 ± 0,57).
Conclusion
This preliminary, unique experience with external probe fixation device indicates that continuous acquisition and monitoring of echocardiographic images is feasible during physical exercise, and for the first time ever - also on the treadmill. This feasibility data stem from almost exclusively male patients and the estimated rate of sufficient image quality throughout the entire test is currently around 60%. We are hoping, that gaining more experience with the product could increase the success rate on exercise tests.
Abstract P1398 Figure. Treadmill and ergometer stress test
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