Quantification of images obtained during myocardial contrast echocardiography.
This article describes currently used quantitative methods for analysis of data obtained during myocardial contrast echocardiography.  The specific issues addressed are:  obtaining time-intensity curves from the myocardium in order to derive transit rates of microbubbles through the myocardium; defining spatial distribution of flow within a myocardial segment; and color-coding algorithms used to define the extent and magnitude of hypoperfusion within a cross-section of the heart.  These methods are being adopted by several companies dealing with acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic data and should become available soon for clinical use.
Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
A R
AR
Jayaweera
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J
Sklenar
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S
Kaul
D000465:Algorithms; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*