Assessment of left ventricular function with contrast echocardiography.
Echocardiography continues to be the primary noninvasive imaging modality for the assessment of cardiac structure and function because of significant advances in ultrasound imaging technology over the last two decades, yet quantification of the LV function has remained an elusive goal. The introduction of contrast agents has represented a major advance in clinicians' ability to visualize the endocardium and to assess LV function accurately, particularly in patients who have poor acoustic windows. Ongoing and future refinements in imaging technology used with contrast enhancement have placed automated quantification of LV function on the brink of widespread clinical use.
Ward
R Parker
RP
Noninvasive Imaging Laboratories, Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 6080, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. pward@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Mor-Avi
Victor
V
Lang
Roberto M
RM
D003287:Contrast Media; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D004699:Endocardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*
D003287:Contrast Media