Myocardial perfusion evaluated by contrast echocardiography. A preliminary report.
The usefulness of contrast echocardiography for demonstration of myocardial perfusion was studied on six mongrel dogs. Two contrast agents tested were: (1) 0.9 percent saline solution, and (2) CO2-enriched saline solution (containing 0.2 ml CO2/10 ml). Only the latter solution produced an elucidation of the myocardium and allowed an estimation of the distribution and flow velocity of the contrast agent, which was characterized using the following three parameters: (1) transmural flow time (0.13 +/- 0.02 s x +/- SEM); (2) circumferential flow time (1.43 +/- 0.31 s); and (3) persistence time (42.0 +/- 4.3 s). There were no serious side effects on hemodynamics or heart rhythm. Thus, contrast echocardiography offers the possibility of detecting and quantitating myocardial perfusion.
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate
D003287:Contrast Media