title: Visualization of coronary arteries using intravenous contrast agent and real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography is a recently developed imaging technique that provides unique information on spatial geometry in real time. We described an asymptomatic patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy for whom 3-dimensional echocardiography was performed after intravenous injection of perfluorocarbon-filled microbubbles. It resulted in enhancement of the left ventricular endocardial border delineation and myocardial perfusion in the hypertrophic septum. A clear visualization of the entire course of the left anterior descending coronary artery and its septal perforator branches was obtained. This case illustrates the potential of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography to improve the anatomic evaluation of coronary arteries, especially when combined with contrast agents.
authors.affiliation: Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas, Echocardiography Laboratory, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 44, 05403-900 São Paulo-SP, Brazil. jeanetsutsui@msn.com
authors.forename: Jeane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tsutsui
authors.forename: Edmundo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arteaga
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brie
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mady
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ramires
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mathias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003199:Computer Systems; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D013318:Stroke Volume
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons