Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Coronary Arteriole Plexus Image by Contrast Echocardiography Using a High-Frequency Transducer

Abstract

This study was established to examine the efficacy of a high-frequency liner probe for visualizing fine anatomy of coronary microcirculation. The vessel size and its velocity-time integral at the anterior wall in dogs by real-time contrast echocardiography with high-frequency liner probe and pulse Doppler methods, and the coronary flow volume, were measured before and after adenosine triphosphate injection. A 3-dimensional (3D) image was reconstructed by the built-in 3D system using intermittent flash echocardiographic images. The increments of flow volume calculated from vessel sizes and velocity-time integral were well correlated with those of coronary flow volume. Using intermittent flash echocardiographic images, fine dots and lines of contrast echocardiographic-expected arterioles were evident, and easily and quickly reconstructed as coronary plexus by 3D system. A high-frequency liner probe provides the fine-vessel images to evaluate those morphologic changes; a 3D reconstruction image could provide new information about coronary arterioles.