Microbubble contrast agents for echocardiography: rationale, composition, ultrasound interactions, and safety.
Imaging the small blood vessels within the myocardium, which contains only a small fraction of the total coronary blood volume, is a significant challenge for ultrasound imaging. Recent advances in microbubble design and ultrasound technology have improved our ability to image the microcirculation. It is essential to understand the fundamentals of microbubble behavior in an ultrasound field and how it impacts technology and safety.
Raisinghani
Ajit
A
Cardiology Division, University of California-San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103-8411, USA.
Rafter
Patrick
P
Phillips
Patrick
P
Vannan
Mani A
MA
DeMaria
Anthony N
AN
D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D045423:Microbubbles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D012449:Safety