Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography during supine bicycle stress and continuous infusion of contrast agent. Cutoff values for myocardial contrast replenishment discriminating abnormal myocardial perfusion.
BACKGROUND
Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a new imaging modality for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility of qualitative myocardial contrast replenishment (RP) assessment during supine bicycle stress MCE and find out cutoff values for such analysis, which could allow accurate detection of CAD.


METHODS
Forty-four consecutive patients, scheduled for coronary angiography (CA) underwent supine bicycle stress two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). During the same session, MCE was performed at peak stress and post stress. Ultrasound contrast agent (SonoVue) was administered in continuous mode using an infusion pump (BR-INF 100, Bracco Research). Seventeen-segment model of left ventricle was used in analysis. MCE was assessed off-line in terms of myocardial contrast opacification and RP. RP was evaluated on the basis of the number of cardiac cycles required to refill the segment with contrast after its prior destruction with high-power frames. Determination of cutoff values for RP assessment was performed by means of reference intervals and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Quantitative CA was carried out using CAAS system.


RESULTS
MCE could be assessed in 42 patients. CA revealed CAD in 25 patients. Calculated cutoff values for RP-analysis (peak-stress RP >3 cardiac cycles and difference between peak stress and post stress RP >0 cardiac cycles) provided sensitive (88%) and accurate (88%) detection of CAD. Sensitivity and accuracy of 2DE were 76% and 79%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Qualitative RP-analysis based on the number of cardiac cycles required to refill myocardium with contrast is feasible during supine bicycle stress MCE and enables accurate detection of CAD.
Miszalski-Jamka
Tomasz
T
2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Jagiellonian University of Cracow, Cracow, Poland. miszalt@mp.pl
Kuntz-Hehner
Stefanie
S
Schmidt
Harald
H
Hammerstingl
Christoph
C
Tiemann
Klaus
K
Ghanem
Alexander
A
Troatz
Clemens
C
Lüderitz
Berndt
B
Omran
Heyder
H
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016683:Supine Position; D013995:Time
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride