Echocardiography - Contrast Echocardiography

Contrast Echocardiography

Contrast echocardiography, or Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is the addition of ultrasound contrast medium, or imaging agent, to traditional ultrasonography. The ultrasound contrast is made up of tiny microbubbles filled with a gas core and protein shell. This allows the microbubbles to circulate through the cardiovascular system and return the ultrasound waves creating a highly reflective image. The most commonly used types of ultrasound contrast are known as Definity®(definityimaging.com) and Optison® (optisonimaging.com). Both have been approved by the FDA. There are multiple applications in which contrast-enhanced ultrasound can by useful. The most commonly used application is in the enhancement of LV endocardial borders for assessment of global and regional systolic function. Contrast may also be used to enhance visualization of wall thickening during stress echocardiography, for the assessment of LV thrombus, or for the assessment of other masses in the heart. Contrast echocardiography has also been used to assess blood perfusion throughout myocardium in the case of coronary artery disease. The Contrast Echo Box developed by the European Association of Echocardiography, and the American Society of Echocardiography Contrast Zone both offer a complete review of Contrast Echocardiography.