title: Safety and efficacy of intravenous contrast imaging in pediatric echocardiography.
abstract: This study was performed to determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous contrast echocardiography in children attending a tertiary cardiac center. This was a prospective study to evaluate the use of Optison contrast agent in children with severely limited transthoracic echocardiographic windows. Twenty children (median age, 15 years; range, 9-18) underwent fundamental imaging (FI), harmonic imaging (HI), and HI with intravenous contrast (Optison FS-069). Endocardial border delineation was determined based on a visual qualitative scoring system (0, none: 4, excellent). Endocardial border definition was significantly improved in all patients using contrast echocardiography (FI vs Optison, p < 0.001 for each). Improved border definition was most dramatic in the apical and left ventricular (LV) free wall regions. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measurable in 20 patients (100%) using contrast compared to 11 (55%) with FI or HI (p < 0.05). The echocardiographic diagnosis was correctly delineated in 1 patient with a severely dyskinetic LV segment only with use of intravenous contrast and HI. No patients suffered adverse hemodynamic effects, changes in taste, or flushing episodes. Three patients experienced transient headaches. Intravenous contrast echocardiography offers an additional tool in evaluating children with very poor transthoracic echocardiographic windows. Such a strategy increases diagnostic accuracy and allows accurate LVEF determination. Adverse hemodynamic effects related to intravenous contrast are exceedingly rare.
authors.affiliation: Noninvasive Imaging Cardiac Laboratory, Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin MC 19345-C, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ayres
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Bezold
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alonzo
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kovalchin
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Eidem
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D003287:Contrast Media; C099458:FS 069; D005466:Fluorocarbons