title: [Contrast echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion].
abstract: Myocardial contrast echocardiography is a non-invasive method used to detect coronary artery disease. It was first described in 1968. New contrast agents which can go through the pulmonary vessels were discovered in the last years. Contrast echocardiography is useful in improving the endocardial border delineation and left ventricular cavity visualisation especially in patients with suboptimal acoustic windows. As the contrast passes further into the coronary artery normal myocardium perfusion is enhanced while ischaemic areas lack enhancement. Analysis of perfusion allows indirect identification of narrowed coronary arteries. Left ventricular function and its myocardium perfusion are made with contrast echocardiography at rest and during pharmacological stress tests. These examinations allow for detection patient with coronary artery disease as well as estimating efficacy of revascularisation procedures.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Serca i Naczyń Instytutu Kardiologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olszowska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hlawaty
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Przewłocki
authors.forename: Wiesława
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tracz
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media