Assessment of myocardial viability using myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a technique that uses microbubbles as a tracer during simultaneous ultrasound of the heart. The microbubbles can be used to provide quantitative information regarding the adequacy of myocardial blood flow (MBF), as well as the spatial extent of microvascular integrity. In acute myocardial infarction, MCE can identify the presence of collateral flow within the risk area, and can therefore predict preservation of myocardial viability and ultimate infarct size even prior to reperfusion. After reperfusion, the extent of microvascular no-reflow can be determined, and has significant implications for recovery of left ventricular function. In chronic ischemic heart disease, MCE has also been shown to successfully differentiate viable from necrotic myocardium. This technique can accurately predict recovery of function after revascularization. More importantly, MCE can be used to identify viable segments that may help to prevent infarct expansion and remodeling, and thus improve patient outcomes.
Wei
Kevin
K
Cardiovascular Imaging Center, Cardiovascular Division, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. kw6n@virginia.edu
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014022:Tissue Survival
D003287:Contrast Media