title: A computerized system that uses high-frequency data for analysis of myocardial contrast echocardiograms.
abstract: Intracoronary and, more recently, intravenous injection of a contrast medium renders it possible to determine myocardial perfusion by use of ultrasound. For the analysis of the data obtained with two-dimensional phased array echocardiographic equipment, two methods can be carried out. First, in the off-line method, the images stored on video tape can be transferred to a computer memory by use of a frame grabber, after which computer analysis of the data can be performed. Second, the phased-array electronics can be directly connected to a computer. In this setup the computer controls the phased array, and the data transported consists of the high-frequency signal. Both methods are described. Some advantages of high-frequency measurements over video-densitometry are the independence of the setup of the two dimensional machine and the higher signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, there is the possibility to use the amplitude, phase, and frequency of the high-frequency signal. In this way a detailed study of the contrast medium is possible and the analysis can also be performed for the purpose of a combination with other methods, such as tissue identification.
authors.affiliation: Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Mittertreiner
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ligtvoet
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ten Cate
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D003201:Computers; D004452:Echocardiography; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software; D014743:Videotape Recording