Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2003, 199 (4)

Normal Values for Left Anterior Descending Coronary
Artery Flow Velocity Assessed by Transthoracic
Doppler Echocardiography in Healthy Children

MIEKO AOKI, KENJI HARADA and GORO TAKADA

Department of Pediatrics, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543

Normal values for left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) flow velocity were assessed from a large number of normal children. In 303 healthy children, LAD peak flow velocity was measured by Doppler echocardiography. LAD peak flow velocities were calculated considering the angle between the Doppler beam and the coronary flow direction. The flow signals of LAD were recorded in 95% (288/303). The mean angle between the Doppler beam and Doppler flow signals of LAD was 42±8 degrees. The ratio of AT to total diastolic spectral duration was 0.19±0.088 and constant with age. LAD peak flow velocity correlated significantly with age (r=–0.57, p<0.0001) and heart rate (r=0.63, p<0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that LAD peak flow velocity was associated with age and heart rate (LAD peak flow velocity=20–0.34 (age)+0.16 (heart rate), r²=0.41, p<0.0001). Normal data obtained in the present study provide a basis of the understanding and investigation in children with congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease such as atherosclerosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, or Kawasaki's disease.

Keywords —— Doppler echocardiography; coronary flow velocity; children

© 2003 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2003, 199, 211-217

Address for reprints: Kenji Harada, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.

e-mail: kharada@doc.med.akita-u.ac.jp