Quantitative Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography in Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

SummaryIt is now possible to perform myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) at the bedside with intravenous injection of commercially available contrast media. Detecting coronary stenosis and myocardial viability in patients is the major aim of anMCE study, but its diagnosis has relied largely on subjective interpretation of regional perfusion by experienced readers. Thus, quantifying MCE data and displaying comprehensive images have been be necessary for its routine application. In this review, two methods for quantifying and displaying MCE parameters will be introduced: 1) parametric imaging that separately displays the parameters of myocardial blood volume, blood flow velocity, and myocardial blood flow; and 2) volumetric imaging that displays a color-coded map of myocardial blood volume fraction. Both methods of analysis provide quantitative and easy-to-understand images even to unexperienced observers. (J Echocardiogr 2006; 4: 99-109)

Quantification of global myocardial oxygenation in humans: initial experience

“…While the T 2 preparation method to measure myocardial and coronary sinus T 2 is not a new approach [ 13 , 23 ], the sequence developed allowed one T 2 mapping with single breath-hold using up to 5 different TE. This approach is different from reported methods that used 2 to 3 TEs and/or scan for a relatively long time (~8 min).…”

“…Measurement of coronary venous oxygenation was previously reported by Foltz et al [ 13 ] and Yang et al [ 24 ] using a similar T 2 prep (MLEV module) with a spiral readout data acquisition. Four 180° pulses were used within the T 2 prep module to minimize B 0 and B 1 inhomogeneities in a previous study [ 12 ].…”

“…The hematocrit was assumed to be one half of that in coronary sinus (40%), i.e. 20% [ 13 ]. Increasing τ 180 will increase α 1 , α 2 , α 3 , and thereby increase the sensitivity of T 2 to the change in OEF (Eq.…”