Automated, nonrigid alignment of clinical myocardial contrast echocardiography image sequences: comparison with manual alignment

Analysis of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) images is currently done by manual techniques. The development of computationally efficient methods for aligning images provides an important first step toward the automation of MCE analysis. This is challenging because a nonrigid transformation correction is required. In this paper, we evaluate a state-of-the-art nonrigid alignment method on clinical MCE image sequences (n = 58) acquired on patients during rest and dipyridamole stress, using both B-mode intermittent ultraharmonic (IUH) imaging and real-time myocardial perfusion imaging (RTMPI). Using manual alignment as the reference, we show quantitatively that the automated method aligns images as well as a human observer. However, the new method is faster and more reliable than manual alignment and removes the need for an experienced physician to perform it. The automated technique can be used for quick poststudy off-line analysis and has the potential to be incorporated into an ultrasound machine.     

Ultrasonic characterization of the nonlinear properties of contrast microbubbles

The nonlinear properties of microbubble contrast agents have been used to create contrast-specific imaging modalities such as harmonic imaging and subharmonic imaging. Thus, a better understanding of the nonlinear performance of contrast microbubbles may enhance the diagnostic capabilities of medical ultrasound (US) imaging. The first and second harmonic, the 1/2 order subharmonic and the 3/2 order ultraharmonic components in spectra of scattered signals from Optison microbubbles insonified at 2 and 4 MHz have been investigated using an in vitro laboratory pulse-echo system. The development of these signal components over time is quite different for 2-MHz insonification compared to 4-MHz insonification. Scattered subharmonic and ultraharmonic signals are much more time-dependent than first and second harmonic echoes. The dependence of the first and second harmonic, subharmonic and ultraharmonic components on acoustic pressure for 2-MHz insonification is similar to that for 4-MHz insonification. The first and second harmonic components increase linearly with acoustic pressure (in double logarithmic scales) and the subharmonic and ultraharmonic amplitudes undergo rapid growths in the intermediate acoustic pressure range and much slower increases at both lower and higher acoustic pressures.     

The impact of emission power on the destruction of echo contrast agents and on the origin of tissue harmonic signals using power pulse-inversion imaging.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of emission power on ultrasound (US)-induced destruction of echocontrast microbubbles during real-time power pulse inversion imaging (PPI) in myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and to evaluate the magnitude of noncontrast PPI signals arising from myocardial tissue at variable emission power to define the cut-off emission power for optimal MCE using low power technologies. In vitro studies were performed in a flow phantom using Optison, Definity and AFO 150. PPI signal intensity during real-time imaging at 27 Hz was compared with intermittent imaging at 0.1 Hz to evaluate bubble destruction at variable emission power (MI: 0.09 to 1.3). In healthy volunteers, PPI signal intensities during constant infusion of Optison(R) was studied in real-time PPI 22 HZ and during intermittent imaging triggered end-systolic frames every, every 3rd and every 5th cardiac cycle. In addition, the impact of emission power on nonlinear PPI signals from myocardial structures was studied. In vitro, there was a 40% decrease of real-time PPI signal intensity for Optison and AFO 150 at lowest emission power (0.09), whereas no signal loss was observed for Definity. Increase of emission power resulted in a faster decay for Optison(R) and AFO 150 as compared to Definity. In vivo, real-time PPI during continuous infusion of Optison(R) resulted in a 40% decrease of myocardial signal intensity as compared to intermittent imaging every 5th cardiac cycle, even at lowest possible emission power (mechanical index = 0.09). There was a strong positive relationship between MI and noncontrast myocardial PPI signals in all myocardial segments. PPI signal intensity was found to be lower than 1 dB only for extremely low emission power (MI < 0.2). Destruction of microbubbles during real-time imaging by use of PPI at low emission power varies considerably for different echo contrast agents. However, bubble destruction and the onset of tissue harmonic signals focus the use of real-time perfusion imaging to very low emission power.     

双嘧达莫与多巴酚丁胺负荷心肌超声造影探测冠脉狭窄的对比研究

目的对比双嘧达莫和多巴酚丁胺负荷心肌超声造影(MCE)探测静息状态下无心肌血流限制性冠脉狭窄的能力.方法用放置"水膨胀”式缩窄器于冠脉主干近端的方法,建立15只慢性多支冠脉狭窄闭胸犬模型.术后7～10d进行静息、双嘧达莫和多巴酚丁胺的小剂量微泡弹丸式注射法MCE,并同步用放射性标记微球测量心肌血流(MBF).以MBF储备≥3为正常和＜3为异常供血区.结果两种药物引起MBF增加,在正常和异常供血区均相近.两种药物负荷时,MCE示异常供血区灌注缺损的范围和程度相同.两种药物作用下异常供血区的峰值声强度(VI)均较正常供血区低(P＜0.05),异常和正常供血区峰值VI比值非常接近;且双嘧达莫和多巴酚丁胺的峰值VI比值均与相应的MBF比值呈良好的线性正相关(r=0.90和0.87,P＜0.0001).结论双嘧达莫和多巴酚丁胺负荷MCE探测冠脉狭窄的能力相近.因此,两者均可用于慢性冠脉狭窄的诊断.     

自然组织谐波成像与基波成像在心脏声学造影中的对比观察

组织谐波成像是新近开展的一种超声成像技术，其探头接受声波的频率是发射频率的两倍（分别为１．７５ＭＨｚ和３．５ＭＨｚ），我们将该技术应用于心脏声学造影检查，观察其对造影剂微气泡的显像效果，并与传统的基波成像技术相比较，发现前者右心显影更强，密度更高，散在造影剂微气泡颗粒更粗，更亮，并能清晰显示左心少量的穿肺的造影剂，这是传统方法难于探及的，但要达到心肌显影，还需改进造影剂的制备，开发出新的心肌声学造影剂。     

应用对比脉冲系列成像技术以SonoVue进行心肌造影的初步临床观察

目的本研究旨在应用对比脉冲系列成像(CPS)超声造影技术,采用经静脉注射SonVue后,观察心肌显影效果,并与患者的冠脉造影结果进行对比研究,评估其有效性和安全性。方法对25例经冠状动脉造影检查的患者,在CPS超声心肌造影的成像技术条件下,经静脉注射SonVue2ml,,进行超声心肌造影。并与冠状动脉造影对比分析。结果本组显示,大多数冠脉3支病变的患者显示心肌灌注明显下降,单支或双支病变的患者则表现为相应冠脉供血区心肌灌注下降。在肥厚型心肌病和酒精性心肌病的患者,尽管冠状动脉造影正常,但心肌灌注明显延迟。结论本研究结果提示,应用CPS造影成像技术,所用超声强度机械指数较低,静脉注射超声造影剂SonVue剂量小,即能达到满意的心肌显影效果,本组患者中未发现明显副作用。     

Measurement of myocardial blood flow velocity reserve with myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: comparison with quantitative gated Technetium 99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The ability of high and low mechanical index (MI) imaging methods during myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) to assess the physiologic significance of coronary stenoses were compared with technetium 99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients. METHODS: Intermittent ultraharmonic imaging (high MI) and power modulation angio (low MI) were performed during continuous infusions of the echo-enhancing contrast agent, Optison, at rest and after dipyridamole stress in 39 patients. Technetium 99m sestamibi SPECT was performed simultaneously. Images from the 3 apical windows were divided into 6 walls. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) velocity and MBF velocity reserve were quantified from pulsing interval versus acoustic intensity MCE curves in each wall using postprocessed images. RESULTS: Approximately 25% of the myocardial walls could not be analyzed from MCE because of artifacts. MBF velocity and MBF derived from both MCE methods increased significantly after dipyridamole in healthy patients (n = 143 and 129 walls for high and low MI, respectively), compared with those with either reversible (n = 11 and 10 walls for high and low MI, respectively) or fixed defects (n = 18 and 14 walls for high and low MI, respectively) on SPECT. Consequently, MBF velocity and MBF reserve were significantly greater for patients with normal perfusion. Receiver operator characteristic curves obtained for MBF velocity reserve provided a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 87%, respectively, for high MI; versus 64% and 96%, respectively, for low MI imaging after uninterpretable images were excluded from analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Both high and low MI MCE imaging techniques can be used to determine the presence of perfusion defects as identified by technetium 99m sestamibi SPECT. Low MI imaging methods have a number of drawbacks that limit its sensitivity compared with high MI techniques.     

Myocardial blood flow measurements in rats with simple pulsing contrast echocardiography

Relationship between contrast intensity and ultrasound (US) pulsing interval has been utilized to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) during myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). We tested if an MCE method employing a simple pulsing sequence during intravenous contrast infusion has the ability to quantify MBF in rats. We performed MCE in 17 rats using a 5- to 12-MHz broadband transducer during microbubble infusion via the femoral vein. Acoustic density (AD) from the anterior wall of the left ventricle imaged in the short axis plane was plotted against the frame number after shortening the pulsing interval (PI) from 1:20 to 1:1 end-systolic ECG gating. The relation between AD and frame number was fitted to a decay function. The rate of the AD decay was decreased during dipyridamole infusion, but was increased by causing coronary stenosis. The AD during long PI imaging remained unchanged during the interventions. Estimated MBF by MCE after correction by heart rate exhibited a close correlation (r = 0.83) with the present "gold standard" of colored microsphere-derived MBF. Thus, the decay rate of the contrast intensity obtained with the high-frequency transducer after abrupt shortening of PI during intravenous microbubble infusion may provide for noninvasive measurement of MBF in rats.     

Feasibility of continuous venous infusion of SonoVue for qualitative assessment of reversible coronary perfusion defects in stress myocardial contrast echocardiography

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of continuous intravenous SonoVue contrast echocardiography for qualitative assessment of reversible myocardial perfusion in dipyridamole stress tests. METHODS: Eleven patients (10 male and 1 female, mean age 66 years) with a history of chest pain and a clinical indication for stress sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) underwent concurrent SonoVue 99mTc myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). RESULTS: Of the total 176 segments obtained, 53 (30%) were regarded as indeterminate, 39 (22%) as discordant, and 84 (48%) as concordant between MCE and SPECT imaging. Two patients had abnormal SPECT results. The overall feasibility and specificity of MCE were 70 and 74%, respectively. The concordant (p = 0.59) and discordant (p = 0.55) segments were comparable with either MCE technique. However, continuous low-mechanical-index imaging produced fewer indeterminate segments (17 segments, 32%) than intermittent harmonic B-mode imaging (36 segments, 68%) (p = 0.04). Significantly more indeterminate segments were found in the left anterior descending artery territory. However, the overall concordance was similar (p = 0.5) in all three coronary artery territories. The concordance and discordance rates at different left ventricular levels (i.e., basal, mid, and apical) were similar (p = 0.50 and 0.08, respectively). CONCLUSION: Continuous-infusion SonoVue contrast echocardiography is feasible, with high specificity, for detecting myocardial perfusion defects as assessed by dipyridamole SPECT.     

Potential pitfalls of visualization of myocardial perfusion by myocardial contrast echocardiography with harmonic gray scale B-mode and power Doppler imaging

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the regional variation of myocardial signal intensity in visualizing myocardial perfusion by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) between harmonic gray scale and power Doppler imaging. METHODS: MCE was performed in 12 patients by electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated intermittent triggered MCE with harmonic gray scale and power Doppler imaging following slow intravenous injection of 0.5 ml contrast agent (Optison). The interval between the ECG triggers (pulsing interval) was increased from every heart beat (1:1) to every 2 (1:2), 4 (1:4), and 8 (1:8) cardiac cycles to allow incremental microbubble (contrast agent) replenishment. The MCE images were recorded when attenuation produced by the left ventricular cavity was minimal. The background-subtracted videointensity was measured in 7 segments in an apical 4-chamber view: 3 (apical, mid, and basal) septal segments, 3 (apical, mid, and basal) lateral segments, and 1 apex segment (apical cap). RESULTS: The background-subtracted videointensity for each segment was greater with the power Doppler than the gray scale imaging (p < 0.01). With the gray scale imaging, the background-subtracted videointensity in the basal septal segment demonstrated a negative value at all pulsing intervals, and the value (-9 +/- 13) was significantly lower than that (22 +/- 20) in the apical lateral segment at a pulsing interval of 1:8 (p < 0.01). With power Doppler imaging, the background-subtracted videointensity was high even in the basal septal segment (112 +/- 33), and no significant difference was observed among each segment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion based upon background-subtracted video-intensity may be difficult in the far field with harmonic gray scale imaging although the attenuation is not apparent by visual analysis. Harmonic power Doppler is more sensitive for detecting basilar perfusion in the far field compared with harmonic gray scale imaging.     

谐波、超谐波心肌声学造影技术评价犬急性心肌梗死

目的探讨谐波(HA)和超谐波(UH)两种心肌声学造影技术评价心肌梗死的准确性。方法10条常规开胸犬动物模型,在基础状态、结扎冠状动脉左前降支1h后,分别应用HA和UH技术采集心肌声学造影图像,目测观察充盈缺损的范围,定量计算充盈缺损的面积,并与应用TTC染色测量的梗死心肌面积对比。结果TTC染色显示心肌梗死HA面积百分率为15.8%±2.4%,应用两种心肌声学造影模式计算的充盈缺损面积与解剖学梗死心肌面积高度相似,应用HA模式为15.5%±2.9%,应用UH模式为15.5%±3.0%。两种心肌声学造影模式检测急性心肌梗死HA的敏感性、特异性及诊断准确率分别为:在HA模式为88%、100%、94%;在UH模式为100%、75%、88%。结论两种心肌声学造影技术在诊断急性心肌梗死中均具有高度的准确性。     

Real-time myocardial blood flow imaging in normal human beings with the use of myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Triggered myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) has been used successfully to quantify myocardial blood flow and assess coronary stenosis in animal models, but practical considerations have limited its broad clinical use. Real-time MCE may have practical advantages to assess perfusion and real time myocardial blood flow in human beings. We compared real-time MCE with triggered imaging in 23 normal human volunteers by using an investigational ultrasound contrast agent (DMP-115) and a commercially available ultrasound platform (Acuson Sequoia). Peak myocardial opacification (reflecting myocardial blood volume) after contrast infusion was quantified digitally in gray scale units (GU). In 13 subjects, myocardial blood flow reserve was assessed during dipyridamole infusion with the use of intermittent destruction-replenishment techniques. Real-time MCE resulted in a 30- to 45-GU increase from baseline compared with a 20- to 70-GU increase with triggered imaging. Real-time MCE showed no statistical difference in opacification (P = .131 by analysis of variance) among any of the myocardial regions of interest. Triggered imaging resulted in heterogeneous opacification among the regions of interest (P < .05 by analysis of variance). Dipyridamole did not significantly change peak myocardial opacification (myocardial blood volume) for either technique. Quantification of flow reserve revealed that myocardial blood flow reserve for the dipyridamole group was 3.6 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- 1 standard error of the mean). Real-time MCE is feasible in normal human volunteers and provides homogenous opacification of the myocardium. Furthermore, quantification of myocardial blood flow with real-time MCE in normal human beings produces results that are consistent with the known physiology of the coronary microcirculation.     

The Delayed Onset of Subharmonic and Ultraharmonic Emissions from a Phospholipid-Shelled Microbubble Contrast Agent

Characterizing the non-linear response of microbubble contrast agents is important for their efficacious use in imaging and therapy. In this article, we report that the subharmonic and ultraharmonic response of lipid-shelled microbubble contrast agents exhibits a strong temporal dependence. We characterized non-linear emissions from Targestar-p microbubbles (Targeson Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) periodically for 60 min, at 10 MHz excitation frequency. The results revealed a considerable increase in the subharmonic and ultraharmonic response (nearly 12–15 and 5–8 dB) after 5–10 min of agent preparation. However, the fundamental and the harmonic response remained almost unchanged in this period. During the next 50 min, the subharmonic, fundamental, ultraharmonic, and harmonic responses decreased steadily by 2–5 dB. The temporal changes in the non-linear behavior of the agent appeared to be primarily mediated by gas-exchange through the microbubble shell; temperature and prior acoustic excitation based mechanisms were ruled out. Further, there was no measurable change in the agent size distribution by static diffusion. We envisage that these findings will help obtain reproducible measurements from agent characterization, non-linear imaging, and fluid-pressure sensing. These findings also suggest the possibility for improving non-linear imaging by careful design of ultrasound contrast agents.     

Validation of Normalized Singular Spectrum Area as a Classifier for Molecularly Targeted Microbubble Adherence

Ultrasound molecular imaging is a diagnostic technique wherein molecularly targeted microbubble contrast agents are imaged to reveal disease markers on the blood vessel endothelium. Currently, microbubble adhesion to affected tissue can be quantified using differential targeted enhancement (dTE), which measures the late enhancement of adherent microbubbles through administration of destructive ultrasound pressures. In this study, we investigated a statistical parameter called the normalized singular spectrum area (NSSA) as a means to detect microbubble adhesion without microbubble destruction. We compared the signal differentiation capability of NSSA with matched dTE measurements in a mouse hindlimb tumor model. Results indicated that NSSA-based signal classification performance matches dTE when differentiating adherent microbubble from non-adherent microbubble signals (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve = 0.95), and improves classification performance when differentiating microbubble from tissue signals (p < 0.005). NSSA-based signal classification eliminates the need for destruction of contrast, and may offer better sensitivity, specificity and the opportunity for real-time microbubble detection and classification.     

利声显经静脉心肌声学造影评价心肌梗死后患者的心肌灌注

目的 心肌造影超声心动图（MCE）采用触发谐频能量多普勒显像模式并用静脉持续输液利声显,观察心肌梗死后患者的心肌灌注情况,方法,使用谐频频率1．8－3．6MHZ的能量多普勒模式,于心电图T波终末处,按1：4心动周期进行触发,利声显浓度为300mg/ml,采用微量输液泵将所配心肌造影剂于患者左肘静脉内持续输注4 min(2ml/min),25例心肌梗死后患者的血压和心率变化并对心肌灌注情况进行半定量分析。结果 （1）MCE前后,患者血压和心率改变无明显差异;（2）触发谐频能量多普勒显像模式并用静脉持续输液min的心肌显影效果,而后方衰减可以避免。结论 触发谐频能量多普显像并用静脉持续输注利声显,可以产生较好的心肌灌注显像效果。     

Quantitative parameters of myocardial perfusion with contrast echocardiography in human beings: Influence of triggering mode

To facilitate quantitation of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in human beings, dual- or triple-triggered flash imaging has been advocated. However, the effect of this modality on quantitative blood-flow parameters of MCE is not known. Accordingly, MCE was quantitated in 71 myocardial regions of 22 patients (age: 57 +/- 16 years) during continuous infusion of Optison (12-18 mL/h). Two sets of images with end-systolic gating (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8) from the apical 4-chamber view were acquired: single and dual triggering for the first 15 patients; and single and triple triggering for the other 7 patients. During gated imaging, MCE of the first, second, and third frame were quantitated. Curves of intensity versus pulsing intervals were fitted to an exponential function: y = A (1-e(-betat)). Where beta is myocardial blood velocity or the rate of rise of myocardial contrast intensity (MCI), and A is myocardial blood volume or the plateau of MCI reached. Continuous imaging, and the second and third frame in 1:1 gating only, provided similar intensity to precontrast imaging. Beyond 1:1 gating, MCI of the second frame in dual triggering mode gradually increased with incremental pulsing interval. This was still present but less pronounced in triple triggering. During dual and triple triggering, a lower beta was observed compared with single triggering. Application of image subtraction with the flash procedure further decreased beta, A, and the A(*)beta product, a quantitative parameter of blood flow by MCE. Thus, flash subtraction imaging alters the quantitative parameters of myocardial blood velocity and flow derived from MCE. Continuous imaging, and the second or third frame in flash imaging at 1:1 gating only, result in MCI similar to precontrast imaging and can be used for background subtraction to quantitate MCE parameters.     

术中冠脉血流显像技术评价急性心肌梗死犬心肌血流灌注的研究

目的探讨术中冠脉血流显像（CFI）技术观察急性心肌梗死犬心肌血流灌注的应用价值。方法18只健康开胸杂种犬于前降支分出第一对角支后约1 cm处结扎3小时建立急性心肌梗死模型。分别于结扎前、结扎3小时后应用i13L高频探头观察前降支远端及前壁心尖段心肌内血流灌注程度、血流方向,并测量心肌内冠脉血流速度,同时在以上观察时点经股静脉匀速推注造影剂（C3F8）行心肌声学造影（MCE）检查对照。结果18只犬均成功建立急性心肌梗死模型。结扎前降支3 h后,根据MCE显示前壁心尖段有无造影剂充填分为无侧支循环形成组（A组）和侧支循环形成不充分组（B组）,A组10只犬中,CFI显示60%（6/10）未见血流信号显示,40%（4/10）前壁心尖段内仅见星点状血流信号。B组7只犬中,CFI则均显示有少量血流信号,与基础状态相比,舒张期峰值血流速度（D-Vmax）、收缩期峰值血流速度（S- Vmax）及D-Vmax/S-Vmax比值均明显降低（P〈0.05）。另有1只犬MCE显示前壁心尖段造影剂充填良好,CFI亦显示丰富的血流信号,舒张期峰值血流速度（0.65 m/s）快于基础状态峰值血流速度（0.28 m/s）。结论术中冠脉血流显像技术能直观、无创、敏感地显示心肌血流灌注状态,与MCE比较,能更敏感的反映心肌血流灌注。     

超声对比剂的材料学特点及临床应用

背景：目前临床上应用的超声对比剂均是含有不同包膜材料和气体成分的微泡对比剂,微泡对比剂的出现使超声诊断技术得到了较大的发展。目的：探讨超声对比剂的材料学研究特点,及超声对比剂在临床疾病治疗中的应用。方法：超声对比剂是由气体微泡和外部包裹的膜物质组成,包膜材料主要分为白蛋白、大分子脂质体、多聚体和各种表面活性剂等。超声造影是通过增强背向散射信号来成像。超声对比剂研究的发展大致分为3个阶段,造影相关技术包括二次谐波、组织特异性显像、反相脉冲谐波成像、相干造影成像技术、对比脉冲序列、能量多普勒谐波成像、间歇谐波成像技术、编码谐波成像和超声造影三维成像。结果与结论：超声对比剂形式的不同主要是通过改变微泡包膜和气体的性质和设计来实现的。微气泡能够实现超声对比剂的显影作用,还可在药物传输上发挥功能。新型的微泡超声对比剂不仅可以提供血流灌注学信息,还可以通过靶向作用于病变组织,分析病变的发生机制,使微泡对比剂的诊断更准确。随着微泡对比剂材料学研究以及制备工艺完善,使超声对比剂具有良好的生物相容性。不仅可以用于各种状态下的特异性超声造影,还可以利用空化效应携带药物或治疗基因向目标组织转移释放。微泡造影技术具有治疗、诊断和超声成像的功能,是一种安全、高效、无创的诊断和靶向传输治疗手段。     

应用自制声学造影剂经静脉心肌造影的实验研究

目的　探讨经静脉注射自制造影剂进行心肌造影的可行性。方法　应用超声粉碎仪振荡 5 %白蛋白和低分子右旋糖酐 (4 0 )混合溶液 ,加入全氟化碳 (C3 F8)气体自制声学造影剂 ;应用HP 5 5 0 0超声诊断系统 ,选择左室短轴乳头肌切面 ,采用Contrast程序 ,双触发间歇二次谐波成像 ,对 14条正常犬进行 32次经静脉心肌造影 ,应用自编Mat lab软件可以定量进行心肌造影强度分析。结果　 32次经静脉注射自制造影剂后 31次获得满意的心肌显影。左室各壁心肌显影最大视频密度值为 4 9.4± 17.3至 117.3± 2 3.4 ,明显高于本底对照 (18.6± 8.11至 86 .3± 15 .6 6 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论　经静脉注射自制造影剂可以成功地进行心肌造影并可对心肌显影强度进行定量研究。     

Adenosine myocardial contrast echo in intermediate severity coronary stenoses: a prospective two-center study

Background We sought to evaluate the role of adenosine myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) for the determination of functional relevance of coronary stenoses with intermediate angiographic severity and compared the results to single photon imaging (SPECT). We hypothezised that sole assessment of myocardial blood volume changes during adenosine on MCE would indicate functional stensosis relevance when accompanied by increased myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). Methods Fifty-seven patients with ≥1 coronary stenosis underwent adenosine MCE (ultraharmonic imaging) and exercise SPECT. On MCE, myocardial blood volume was assessed and constant or increased myocardial opacification during adenosine coupled with increased MVO2 was defined as normal and decreased opacification as abnormal. Results Rate–pressure product significantly increased during adenosine in all patients due to reflex tachycardia following mild hypotension, indicative of increased MVO2. Concordance between MCE and SPECT for the detection of reversible myocardial perfusion defects was 89% (κ = 0.83). Comparison of regions between rest and during adenosine as opposed to comparison to remote regions of the same stage was important for accurate assessment because concordance betweenn MCE and SPECT was less on separate assessment at rest (73%, κ = 0.40) compared to stress (91%, κ = 0.81, P < 0.05) mainly due to territories scored normal on SPECT and abnormal on MCE. Conclusions Assessment of myocardial blood volume changes during adenosine using MCE can be used for the determination of the functional relevance of coronary stenoses of intermediate angiographic severity if MVO2 is increased during adenosine.