Key result
Contrast echocardiography using microbubble contrast agents enhances the assessment of cardiac structure and function for left ventricular opacification and myocardial perfusion imaging.
Contrast echocardiography using microbubbles enhances the assessment of cardiac structure and function, particularly in patients with suboptimal images.
May enhance LV assessment in suboptimal windows; leaves open randomized outcome trials.
Echocardiography is one of the most commonly used noninvasive imaging modalities in cardiology. Its portability, lack of ionizing radiation, excellent temporal and spatial resolution, and low cost make echocardiography an attractive technology. However, a significant proportion of patients have suboptimal images that decrease the diagnostic utility of echocardiography. One method to enhance the assessment of cardiac structure and function involves the administration of microbubble contrast agents. Capitalizing on interactions between microbubbles and ultrasound, imaging modalities that were specifically designed to enhance microbubble signal while suppressing tissue signal have been developed. These modalities can be used for either left ventricular opacification or myocardial perfusion imaging. The current applications of contrast echocardiography, along with the safety and limitations of the technology will be reviewed.
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Kevin Wei (2011) conducted a review in Suboptimal echocardiography images. Contrast echocardiography (microbubble contrast agents) was evaluated. Contrast echocardiography using microbubble contrast agents enhances the assessment of cardiac structure and function for left ventricular opacification and myocardial perfusion imaging.
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