Clinical usefulness of SonoVue contrast echocardiography: the Thoraxcentre experience

Abstract

Although other imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography, are becoming more and more important in cardiology, two-dimensional echocardiography is still the most used technique in clinical cardiology. Quantification of left ventricular function and dimensions is important because therapeutic strategies, for example implanting an ICD after myocardial infarction, are based on ejection fraction measurements. Because of the sometimes low quality of echocardiographic images we started to use an ultrasound contrast agent and in this article we describe our experiences with SonoVue, a second-generation contrast agent, over a threeyear period in the Thoraxcentre. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:55-60.).

Figure 1

SonoVue file including syringe and needle.

Figure 2

Upper panel shows myocardial reflection and lower panel microbubble reflection in power modulation mode (also see text for explanation). From: Mor-Avi V, et al. Circulation 2001;104:352-7.

Figure 3

Visualisation of endocardial border in four- and three-chamber images without (upper images) and with (lower images) contrast.

Figure 4

Intertrabecular recesses filling with contrast (*) and apical mobile thrombus in a patient with noncompaction cardiomyopathy.

Figure 5

Endocardial border detection of right ventricle without (left) and with contrast (right).

Figure 6

Patient with echinococcus cyst; contrast image shows no connection with left ventricle.