Phased-array intracardiac echocardiographic imaging of acute cardiovascular emergencies: Experimental studies in dogs.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated a newly developed phased-array intracardiac echocardiographic catheter.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate the imaging capability of this new ICE catheter in an animal model simulating acute cardiovascular abnormalities.


METHODS
ICE images were obtained from the right atrium during (1) acute left ventricular dysfunction; (2) acute coronary occlusion; (3) pericardial effusion and tamponade; and (4) pulmonary embolism.


RESULTS
Left ventricular dysfunction, induced experimentally by halothane inhalation, resulted in a fall in echocardiography-calculated ejection fraction from 47% +/- 11% to 25% +/- 10%, P <.01. Regional contraction abnormalities after acute coronary occlusion were identified without and with the ultrasound contrast agent Optison. Pericardial effusion produced by saline infusion into the pericardium was detected in amounts as small as 15 mL. Right ventricular and atrial compression and respiratory variation in right ventricular inflow during tamponade were demonstrated. After injection of intravenous thrombin to create venous thromboembolism, we demonstrated right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction and thrombi attached to the tricuspid and pulmonary valves and in the pulmonary artery.


CONCLUSIONS
This new phased-array ICE catheter may be a useful clinical tool for the diagnosis of heart failure, ischemia, tamponade, and pulmonary embolism.
Yamada
Elina
E
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Zhang
Yi
Y
Davies
Ray
R
Coddington
William
W
Kerber
Richard E
RE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000418:Albumins; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000009:adverse effects; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015588:Observer Variation; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D013917:Thrombin / Q000009:adverse effects; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology
D000418:Albumins; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D003287:Contrast Media; C099458:FS 069; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006490:Hemostatics; D013917:Thrombin; D006221:Halothane