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.
Jayaweera
A R
AR
Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Sklenar
J
J
Kaul
S
S
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*