British heart journal
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British heart journal · Jan 1994
Comparative StudyProfiles of coronary blood flow velocity in patients with aortic stenosis and the effect of valve replacement: a transthoracic echocardiographic study.
To report the first non-invasive assessment by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography of coronary blood flow in patients with aortic stenosis and of the effects of valve replacement. ⋯ Coronary flow profiles in patients with aortic stenosis were characterised by reversed early systolic flow and delayed forward systolic flow and attainment of peak diastolic velocity. Reversal of these abnormalities by replacement of the aortic valve may reflect altered left ventricular and aortic haemodynamics and contribute to the relief of angina when left ventricular hypertrophy persists. Further studies may correlate abnormalities of coronary flow with preoperative clinical and haemodynamic state.