title: Temperature dependent behavior of ultrasound contrast agents.
abstract: Recent interest in ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) as tools for quantitative imaging and therapy has increased the need for accurate characterization. Laboratory investigations are frequently undertaken in a water bath at room temperature; however, implications for in vivo applications are not presented. Acoustic investigation of a bulk suspension of SonoVue (Bracco Research, Geneva, Switzerland) was made in a water bath at temperatures of 20-45 degrees C. UCA characteristics were significantly affected by temperature, particularly between 20 and 40 degrees C, leading to an increase in attenuation from 1.7-2.5 dB, respectively (p = 0.002) and a 2-dB increase in scattered signal over the same range (p = 0.05) at an insonation pressure of 100 kPa. Optical data supported the hypothesis that a temperature-mediated increase in diameter was the dominant cause, and revealed a decrease in bubble stability. In conclusion, measurements made at room temperature require careful interpretation with regard to behavior in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Imaging Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom. h.mulvana@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mulvana
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stride
authors.forename: Jo V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Hajnal
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Eckersley
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D004355:Drug Stability; D045423:Microbubbles; D010316:Particle Size; D013696:Temperature; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media