Improved reliability for echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular volume using harmonic power imaging mode combined with contrast agent

Contrast-enhanced versus non-enhanced three-dimensional echocardiography of left ventricular volumes

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]25 Among these, the results of two 2D studies using the ultrasound contrast agent Levovist are in line with the present study (a significant increase in LV volumes), effects that were ascribed to ultrasound contrast filling up intertrabecular space. 17,19 A similar study with EchoGen showed a small but significant decrease in LV end-diastolic volume, and no change in LV endsystolic volume and ejection fraction measurements. 23 Conceivably, the difference in LV end-systolic volume measurements between the studies may represent relatively more destruction of ultrasound contrast agent in the intertrabecular zone in the EchoGen study.…”

“…19,26 In one contrast echocardiography study, LV end-diastolic volume showed a larger increase than LV end-systolic volume, with a resulting increase in ejection fraction. 17 In this study, however, the amount of ultrasound contrast material that was injected was very small, which might have aggravated the effects of ultrasound contrast destruction.…”

“…Consistently, ultrasound contrast infusion led to improved endocardial visibility [11][12][13][14][15][16]18,21,25 and (when assessed) to improved volume measurement reproducibility. 17,19,21,22 In our patient group acoustic windows were good even without ultrasound contrast enhancement, but with the 3DE method we used, image reconstruction inherently causes a slight deterioration in image quality. We therefore sought to improve image quality by the use of contrast infusion, but we were not able to demonstrate significant improvement in LV volume measurement reproducibility.…”

“…To improve LV endocardial definition in the substantial amount of patients with limited echogenicity, administration of intravenous ultrasound contrast agents is increasingly advocated, with a reported success rate of >95%. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Besides improved endocardial border definition, several studies observed larger LV volumes following ultrasound contrast administration. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] This may be explained by the fact that the LV contrast fills up the intertrabecular space, thereby delineating the outermost rather than the innermost endocardial contour.…”

Prognostic value of echocardiography after acute myocardial infarction

“…The use of contrast echocardiography for opacification of the LV cavity enhances endocardial border delineation, thereby decreasing variability in the assessment of LV volumes and LVEF, and improving the interpretation of regional wall motion abnormalities 43 44 45 46 47. Malm et al evaluated the accuracy and reproducibility of contrast echocardiography versus tissue harmonic imaging for measurements of LV volumes and LVEF in 110 consecutive patients; MRI was used as an independent “gold standard” 43.…”