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. 2009 Feb 3;20(Suppl 1):27–30. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960201307

New developments in ultrasound systems for contrast echocardiography

Sanjiv Kaul 1,2
PMCID: PMC6656200  PMID: 9383599

Abstract

Contrast echocardiography (CE) has evolved significantly in the past decade. Contrast agents and the hardware and software used to detect them and display optimal images have developed in tandem. Not only are hardware and contrast agents available that allow left ventricular cavity enhancement, but recent research points to the usefulness of CE for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and operating room. Advances in ultrasound technology, such as transient harmonic imaging and integrated backscatter, coupled with the development of newer contrast agents that contain smaller, more stable microbubbles capable of transpulmonary passage for intravenous injection, promise a vast increase in the applications of CE in clinical practice.

Keywords: ultrasound, contrast echocardiography, contrast agents, myocardial perfusion, harmonic imaging, backscatter, microbubbles, transpulmonary, Doppler, gray scale

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