Abstract
ABSTRACTThe contrast agents used in ultrasound are approved for several clinical situations. New echocardiographic techniques, such as harmonic imaging and power pulse inversion imaging, can improve the visualization of microbubbles. In this article we discuss the early development of contrast echocardiography, new technologies that help improve image acquisition and its practical role in the assessment of myocardial infarction.
Highlights
Contrast echocardiography is a technique that uses microbubble contrast agents administered via peripheral veins to improve the echocardiographic signal[1]
The clinical applications of contrast echocardiography include the assessment of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease; determination of the area at risk and efficacy of reperfusion therapies in patients with acute myocardial infarction; and assessment of myocardial viability after infarction
Microbubble contrast agents for echocardiography The use of agitated saline solution as an echocardiographic contrast agent to enhance blood within the heart was first described by Gramiak and Shah in 1968, based on the creation of a gas-blood interface[3]
Summary
Contrast echocardiography is a technique that uses microbubble contrast agents administered via peripheral veins to improve the echocardiographic signal[1]. Since the ultrasound pulse is emitted only seconds after the first one, there is time for the microbubbles to refill all the microvascular bed, making the myocardial perfusion study possible, with acquisition of static images, without motion in real time (Figure 1).
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