Pulse inversion harmonic imaging improves endocardial border visualization in two-dimensional images: comparison with harmonic imaging.
Pulse inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) is a new modality that increases the detection of harmonic echoes and myocardial contrast by cancelling linearly transmitted signals. We tested whether PIHI improved the detection of endocardial borders in noncontrast 2-dimensional echocardiography. We compared PIHI with tissue harmonic imaging (THI), which decreases linearly transmitted signals using filters. Fundamental mode (FM) was compared with THI and PIHI in 50 consecutive patients. The global and segmental endocardial visualization scores measured with FM were significantly improved by using either THI or PIHI. The improvement of the global score compared with FM was slightly higher using PIHI than THI, because of an improved visualization of the base and the anterior wall with the PIHI technique compared with THI. The ratio of myocardial-to-cavity signal was similarly increased from FM with THI and PIHI. PIHI, a new modality for detection of myocardial contrast, can also be used for endocardial border visualization. It provides an improvement relative to THI for specific regions of the endocardium.
Vançon
Anne-Claire
AC
Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, VBK 5, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ac.vancon@usa.net
Fox
Ervin R
ER
Chow
Chi-Ming
CM
Hill
Jeffrey
J
Weyman
Arthur E
AE
Picard
Michael H
MH
Scherrer-Crosbie
Marielle
M
D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004699:Endocardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging