The clinical applications of myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Recent updates in the field of echocardiography have resulted in improvements in both image quality and techniques allowing echocardiography to maintain it's position as the primary non-invasive imaging modality. In particular, the development of new ultrasound contrast agents and imaging techniques have now made possible the assessment of myocardial perfusion. Myocardial contrast echocardiography utilises acoustically active gas filled microspheres (microbubbles), which have rheology similar to that of red blood cells. The detection of myocardial perfusion during echocardiographic examinations permits simultaneous assessment of global and regional myocardial structure, function, and perfusion, enabling the optimal non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease. Myocardial contrast echocardiography is equally adept in assessing chronic coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes and hibernating myocardium.
Rakhit
Dhrubo J
DJ
Department of Cardiology, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, UK.
Becher
Harald
H
Monaghan
Mark
M
Nihoyannopoulos
Petros
P
Nihoyannopoulis
Petros
P
Senior
Roxy
R
D003287:Contrast Media; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media