Myocardial contrast echocardiography: Reliable, safe, and efficacious myocardial perfusion assessment after intravenous injections of a new echocardiographic contrast agent

Safety of ultrasound contrast agents

“…The interaction with pulsed ultrasound waves seems to cause no damage [12]. Animal studies showed no significant influence on left ventricular function or myocardial blood flow by ultrasound contrast media [13,14]. However, in a study by Chen et al [15], who used a high mechanical index for bubble destruction, an increase in troponin T (a marker of myocardial ischaemia) was found.…”

Quantitative assessment of infarct size in vivo by myocardial contrast echocardiography in a murine acute myocardial infarction model

“…Since these microbubbles remain entirely within the intravascular space, they could be used as tracers of red blood cells [14], and be expected to be useful in assessment of the coronary blood flow in the beating heart without any hazard. Recently, its usefulness was proven in large animal experiments and human studies [24,25]. However, there were few reports about its feasibility on the small experimental animals such as murine species.…”

Study of Coronary Flow Reserve with Intravenous Use of Microbubbles (Contrast Echocardiography) and Adenosine: Protocol for Clinical Application in Patients Suspected of Having Coronary Heart Disease

“…Microbubbles obtained with sonication of fluorocarbon gases (PESDA) [5][6][7] and other echo contrast agents [8][9][10][11][12] have already been used. In coronary artery disease with significant obstructions, defects in myocardial perfusion (usually demonstrated in the walls with a reduction in perfusion 13 , mainly after pharmacological stress with dipyridamole 14 or dobutamine 15 ) may be useful in identifying myocardial ischemia 16 , myocardial risk area 17 , and in determining infarct size 16 .…”