Coronary flow velocity reserve in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND

The usefulness and safety of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in patients with acute ischemic stroke were examined.

MATERIAL/METHODS: We studied 36 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Transthoracic Doppler recording of diastolic coronary flow velocity was performed at baseline and after maximal vasodilation by adenosine triphosphate infusion. CFVR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to basal averaged peak coronary flow velocity. Patients with CFVR <2.1 were assigned in Positive group.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had impaired CFVR. Age over 70 years and arterial stenosis were more frequent in the Positive group. In the Positive group, 11 underwent coronary angiography; 9 of them had some abnormal findings. The positive predictive value of impaired CFVR for detecting coronary artery disease was 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

CFVR is useful for detecting coronary heart disease in stroke patients, and may be indicated in patients over 70 years or in those with arterial stenosis.