Memmola CD, Napoli VF, Oliva S, Colonna P, Massari E, Brigiani MS, Iliceto S, Rizzon P. Istituto di Cardiologia, Universita degli Studi, Bari. Cardiologia 1997 Mar;42(3):293-8. The diagnostic value of echo-pacing has been previously report. Recently, monoplanar transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been used to improve the reliability of this stress procedure. Therefore, in 40 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) we tested the accuracy of atrial pacing (TAP) during multiplane TEE as a stress procedure. TAP was performed during TEE using a circular, adhesive electrode installed at the tip of the echoscope and connected to the pulse generator. In all patients TAP was firstly attempted by positioning the TEE probe in the esophagus and, if not successful, in the stomach. Left ventricular wall motion was monitored by means of 4, 2 chamber and long axis views from the esophagus and short axis scan from the stomach, in baseline conditions, at peak pacing and immediately after maximal heart rate. The test was considered positive if wall motion abnormalities developed during TAP. Stable capture of the atrium was obtained in 28 patients from the esophagus and in 6 patients from the stomach. Thus, TEE-TAP was performed in 34/40 patients (feasibility 85%). Wall motion abnormalities were detected during TAP in 20/24 with and in 2/10 patients without CAD. Thus, sensitivity and specificity of TEE-TAP were 83% and 80% respectively. The sensitivity of the test in single and multivessel disease resulted 72% and 92%. The 12 lead electrocardiogram during TAP showed a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 40% (p < 0.01 vs TEE-TAP). In conclusion, TEE-TAP is a new approach for CAD evaluation providing a complete and accurate imaging of left ventricular wall motion.