Salvage of nondiagnostic transthoracic echocardiograms on patients in intensive care units with intravenous ultrasound contrast.
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is often technically difficult on patients in intensive care units. Contrast echocardiography can improve left ventricular wall visualization and the assessment of regional and global left ventricular wall motion. Our study undertook to determine what proportion of nondiagnostic TTE studies on patients in intensive care units could be salvaged (i.e., converted to diagnostic studies) with contrast. Ninety-two patients with nondiagnostic TTEs had a repeat study after contrast. Using predefined criteria, 51% of studies were salvaged with contrast. Female gender emerged as the only factor associated with less likelihood of salvaging a study.
Nash
Patrick J
PJ
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Kassimatis
Kathleen C
KC
Borowski
Allen G
AG
Martin
Maureen G
MG
Reynolds
Kathleen M
KM
Garcia
Cheryl A
CA
Morehead
Annitta J
AJ
Thomas
James D
JD
D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media