Histological Characterization of Microlesions Induced by Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Histological characterization of microlesions induced by myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) has been shown to have a potential for apparently reversible side effects related to the interaction of ultrasound with the contrast microbubbles, including premature ventricular contractions and microvascular leakage. We investigated the potential for high-dose MCE to induce histologically definable microlesions. METHODS Myocardial contra...

Myocardial contrast echocardiography.

MCE has evolved from a laboratory tool to a clinical procedure. It would be wrong to consider it merely another tool for imaging of myocardial perfusion. As discussed, it allows physicians to bring physiology and pathophysiology to the bedside, providing a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of abnormal findings in individual patients. MCE can provide quantitative measurements tha...

3D Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Contrast echocardiography in myocardial infarction

The contrast agents used in ultrasound are approved for several clinical situations. New echocardiographic techniques, such as harmonic imaging and power pulse inversion imaging, can improve the visualization of microbubbles. In this article we discuss the early development of contrast echocardiography, new technologies that help improve image acquisition and its practical role in the assessmen...

Transient myocardial ischemia during acetylcholine-induced coronary microvascular dysfunction documented by myocardial contrast echocardiography.

A 77-year-old white woman was referred for diagnostic coronary angiography after a 6-month history of exertional breathlessness and back pain. Her cardiovascular risk factors were hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein, 153 mg/dL) and a positive family history for cardiovascular disease (father died at 73 years of age because of a peripheral artery occlusive disease event). Furthermore, ...