Clinical experience with SonoVue in myocardial perfusion imaging.
Ultrasound-enhancing agents have the potential to evaluate myocardial perfusion, adding a new dimension to echocardiography. This article summarizes the clinical studies involving SonoVue, a new intravenous ultrasound contrast agent, in assessing myocardial perfusion. Safe and well tolerated, SonoVue coupled with echocardiography has the capability to identify perfusion abnormalities, as confirmed by scintigraphic imaging. While the optimal modalities for ultrasound perfusion assessment are not yet determined, numerous technical advances have been introduced: continuous infusion or slow intravenous administration of the agent, harmonic intermittent imaging, pulse inversion, background subtraction, color coding, and others. SonoVue is a promising new agent in the booming field of myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Rovai
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CNR, Clinical Physiology Institute, Via Savi, 8, 56126 Pisa, Italy. drovai@ifc.pi.cnr.it
Morales
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MA
Amyot
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L'Abbate
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D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003287:Contrast Media; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D003287:Contrast Media; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride