New imaging technology: measurement of myocardial perfusion by contrast echocardiography.
Myocardial perfusion imaging has long been a goal for the non-invasive echocardiographic assessment of the heart. However, many factors at play in perfusion imaging have made this goal elusive. Harmonic imaging and triggered imaging with newer contrast agents have made myocardial perfusion imaging potentially practical in the very near future. The application of indicator dilution theory to the coronary circulation and bubble contrast agents is fraught with complexities and sources of error. Therefore, quantification of myocardial perfusion by non-invasive echocardiographic imaging requires further investigation in order to make this technique clinically viable.
Rubin
D N
DN
Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
Thomas
J D
JD
D003287:Contrast Media; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007201:Indicator Dilution Techniques; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media