Myocardial perfusion defects in contrast echocardiography: Spatial and temporal localisation

Abstract

The position and size of experimental myocardial perfusion defects can be detected by using the echocardiographic contrast-medium Echoson® together with digital image processing techniques. Video tapes showing the important sequences before, during and after cardial inflow of echo-enhancing agents are fed in total length into a digital image processing unit. The myocardial circumferences are then chosen interactively. All the frames are analysed and a synthetic picture is compiled, and shows the myocardial echo densities in a single, highly condensed form. Digital subtraction of blank values (condensed sequences before injection of contrast medium) greatly improves readability. Further concentration of the remaining information yields the following diagrams: flow/circumferential position (time summation); flow/time (position summation), which contain the desired information on homogeneity or defects of echo density against time and myocardial position.