Assessment of myocardial blood flow using myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Advances over the past 10 years have enabled the widespread use of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) to assess myocardial perfusion. This assessment is critical in evaluating the severity of coronary artery disease and the efficacy of pharmacologic, mechanical, or surgical interventions. MCE measures myocardial blood flow (MBF) by investigating flow velocity and myocardial blood volume. Although there are potential limitations to the use of MCE for determining MBF, its use is feasible in the experimental laboratory and in the clinical environment.
Vanoverschelde
Jean-Louis J
JL
Division of Cardiology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. Vanoverschelde@card.ucl.ac.be
Vancrayenest
David
D
Ay
Taniyel
T
Peltier
Marcel
M
Pasquet
Agnès
A
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003287:Contrast Media; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008863:Microspheres; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D003287:Contrast Media