External Validation of the Identification of Need for Ultrasound Enhancing Agent Study (the IN-USE Study)

Abstract

Despite proven benefits, 1 Porter T.R. Mulvagh S.L. Abdelmoneim S.S. Becher H. Belcik J.T. Bierig M. et al. Clinical applications of ultrasonic enhancing agents in echocardiography: 2018 ASE guidelines update. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2018; 31: 241-274 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (170) Google Scholar safety, 2 Main M.L. Hibberd M.G. Ryan A. Lowe T.J. Miller P. Bhat G. Acute mortality in critically ill patients undergoing echocardiography with or without an ultrasound contrast agent. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014; 7: 40-48 Crossref PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar and cost-effectiveness, 3 Kurt M. Shaikh K.A. Peterson L. Kurrelmeyer K.M. Shah G. Nagueh S.F. et al. Impact of contrast echocardiography on evaluation of ventricular function and clinical management in a large prospective cohort. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009; 53: 802-810 Crossref PubMed Scopus (179) Google Scholar ultrasound-enhancing agents (UEAs) remain underutilized 4 Fraiche A.M. Manning W.J. Nagueh S.F. Main M.L. Markson L.J. Strom J.B. Identification of Need for Ultrasound Enhancing Agent Study (the IN-USE Study). J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2020; 3: 1500-1508 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (4) Google Scholar in outpatient settings. As the decision to use UEAs during an echocardiogram is usually based on image quality, the time required to obtain intravenous (IV) access for UEA administration may interfere with clinical workflow and delay UEA use or result in forgoing UEAs altogether. 5 Tang A. Chiew S.K. Rashkovetsky R. Beacher H. Choy J.B. Feasibility of sonographer-administered echocontrast in a large-volume tertiary-care echocardiography laboratory. Can J Cardiol. 2013; 29: 391-395 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar Therefore, efforts have been made to identify predictors for the need for IV access in individuals with potential suboptimal image quality.