Doppler enhancement with SH U 508A in multiple vascular regions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the magnitude and duration of peripheral vascular and cardiac Doppler signal enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast agent SH U 508A.


METHODS
Suboptimal cardiac or peripheral vascular Doppler examinations were evaluated. A total of 75 intravenous bolus injections were made in 30 patients. Spectral audio Doppler intensity was measured throughout the duration of contrast effect.


RESULTS
No clinically relevant adverse effects were noted, and Doppler enhancement was apparent in all cases. The diagnostic confidence of the investigators when scored before and after Doppler enhancement improved from 35% to 91% (P < .05). Doppler intensity increased more than 16 dB in all vascular regions investigated (P < .05). The contrast effect lasted for more than 120 seconds in the peripheral vascular and cardiac groups at equivalent doses.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenously administered SH U 508A is effective in markedly increasing cardiac, femoral arterial, and transcranial (cerebral arterial) Doppler signal intensity. The effect improves the clinical diagnostic confidence in cases of suboptimal unenhanced Doppler examinations.
Schwarz
K Q
KQ
Cardiology Unit, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642.
Becher
H
H
Schimpfky
C
C
Vorwerk
D
D
Bogdahn
U
U
Schlief
R
R
D002539:Cerebral Arterial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011134:Polysaccharides; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508