Quantification of myocardial blood flow and assessment of its transmural distribution with real-time power modulation myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) with power modulation to quantitate myocardial blood flow (MBF) and to assess its transmural distribution in open-chest dogs undergoing partial or total coronary stenoses. METHODS AND RESULTS: MBF was measured in 12 dogs instrumented with a cuff occluder around the left anterior descending coronary artery at rest, during partial coronary stenosis (during infusion of adenosine), and during coronary occlusion. The MCE-derived rate of microbubble velocity, beta, and myocardial blood volume, A, were obtained by curve fitting of videointensity versus time plots, after the transient destruction of microbubbles by high-energy ultrasound. The data were compared with MBF measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Significant correlations were found between radiolabeled microsphere-derived MBF and both beta (r = 0.93) and the product of A x beta (r = 0.91). MCE beta reserve also correlated well with microsphere-derived flow reserve. Comparing endocardial/epicardial MCE ratios and microsphere-derived MBF ratios, significant correlation was also found between endomicropsheres/epimicrospheres MBF ratio and both endo/epi beta (r = 0.90) and endo/epi A x beta (r = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time power modulation MCE allows for an accurate quantification of MBF and of its transmural distribution in open-chest dogs undergoing partial or total coronary stenoses.     

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.     

Discordance between dipyridamole stress technetium-99m tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography and coronary angiography in patients with Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis syndrome of unknown etiology that mainly affects the coronary arteries. The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement between dipyridamole stress technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary angiography in these patients. Twenty-nine children with KD were included in this study. All of the 29 children also received dipyridamole stress Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT within 1 month of their coronary angiographic studies. The results showed that (1) 89.7% of children had negative coronary angiographic findings without significant coronary stenoses, and 10.3% of children had positive coronary angiographic findings with significant coronary stenosis; (2) 44.8% of children had negative Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings without abnormal myocardial perfusion, and 55.2% of children had positive Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings with abnormal myocardial perfusion; (3) 44.8% of children had both normal coronary angiographic and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings, and 10.3% of children had both abnormal coronary angiographic and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings; and (4) There was no significant agreement between coronary angiographic and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings. We concluded that poor agreement exists between coronary angiographic and Tc-TF myocardial perfusion SPECT findings with coronary stenoses and abnormal myocardial perfusion in children with KD.     

Relation between myocardial oxygen consumption and myocardial blood volume: a study using myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Myocardial blood volume (MBV) is the volume of blood residing in myocardial vessels, 90% of which is in capillaries. MBV can be measured in vivo using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). It has been shown that when increases in coronary blood flow (CBF) are not associated with increase in myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2)), MBV does not increase. We hypothesized that MBV would increase when increases in CBF are associated with an increase in MVO(2). The atrioventricular node was ablated in 18 dogs and dual-chamber pacing was instituted. In group 1 dogs (n = 9), heart rate was altered from 50 to 150 bpm(-1) in increments of 20 bpm(-1) in random order. In group 2 dogs (n = 9), heart rate was kept constant, and dobutamine was infused at doses of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 microg/kg(-1)/min(-1). During each intervention, hemodynamic parameters and MVO(2) were measured, and MCE was performed. MVO(2) increased more (P <.01) with inotropic compared with chronotropic stimulation, resulting in a parallel increase in CBF. MBV fraction and MCE-derived myocardial blood flow increased significantly with increases in MVO(2) (P <.05 and P <.001, respectively) when dobutamine was infused, but remained unchanged when heart rate alone was increased. We conclude that when MVO(2) is increased substantially, the resulting increase in CBF and MCE-derived myocardial blood flow is mediated, in part, by an increase in MBV. Thus, capillary recruitment plays an important role in the physiologic regulation of CBF. Lack of increase in MBV during dobutamine stress may indicate the presence of coronary stenosis or microvascular disease.     

Assessment of coronary stenoses of graded severity by myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) has potential value in the assessment and quantitation of myocardial perfusion defects. However, the severity of stenosis detectable by MCE and its diagnostic accuracy remain undefined. Thus, we produced coronary stenoses of variable severity and quantified their effect on MCE. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three grades of left anterior descending (LAD) obstructions were produced in 7 open-chest swine. The stenoses were nonflow-limiting at rest, but decreased coronary hyperemia by 31.3% +/- 4.7%, 69.9% +/- 5.3% and 98.9% +/- 1.1%, respectively. Regional myocardial blood flow (RBF) was measured with fluorescent microspheres and was expressed as the ratio of LAD and control (LCx) beds. MCE was performed with 0.3 mg/kg intravenous AF0150 during ECG-gated harmonic imaging in short-axis view. Background-subtracted peak intensity (PI) was expressed as the ratio of LAD/LCx beds. Both RBF and PI ratios progressively decreased with increasing grades of stenosis. MCE showed a significant correlation with RBF (r = 0.74; P <.0001). Ratios of both PI and RBF differed significantly from baseline when coronary hyperemia was reduced more than 50%. An LAD/LCx ratio less than 0.6 by MCE yielded 61% and 83% sensitivity and 85% and 76% specificity with stenosis that reduced coronary hyperemia more than 50% and more than 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MCE with intravenous AF0150 during vasodilation correctly depicted the progressive reduction of flow ratios produced by graded coronary stenoses. A significant reduction of PI ratio was observed with stenosis causing more than 50% reduction of coronary hyperemia. An MCE ratio in stenosed/control beds could be selected, which exhibited good sensitivity and specificity in the identification of coronary stenosis.     

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.     

Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography for pharmacologic stress testing: is quantitative estimation of myocardial blood flow reserve necessary?

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) as an adjunct to stress testing. This study was performed to evaluate the agreement between MCE and technetium 99m-sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for detection of perfusion defects and to investigate whether quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion can increase the diagnostic value of MCE. METHODS: MCE was performed at rest and during peak adenosine stress in 50 unselected patients undergoing SPECT imaging. Concordance between the 2 methods was assessed using kappa statistics. MCE images were analyzed quantitatively, measuring peak intensity (A) and maximal rise of signal intensity (beta). Myocardial blood flow reserve was estimated by calculating the ratios of A(adenosine)/A(baseline) (A reserve), beta(adenosine)/beta(baseline) (beta reserve), and A x beta(adenosine)/A x beta(baseline) (A x beta reserve). RESULTS: Visual analysis of MCE agreed well with SPECT (kappa = 0.67) with sensitivity of 64%, specificity of 97%, and overall accuracy of 87%. Quantitative analysis showed that peak signal intensity A significantly increased under adenosine stress in SPECT-normal segments (2.6 +/- 1.9 vs 3.0 +/- 1.6 dB, P <.0001), tendencially decreased in reversible (3.0 +/- 2.0 vs 2.4 +/- 1.2 dB, P =.07) and remained unchanged in fixed (0.9 +/- 0.9 vs 0.8 +/- 0.9 dB) defects. beta Increased markedly under adenosine in normal segments (0.4 +/- 0.4 vs 1.4 +/- 1.3, P <.0001) but not in segments with reversible or fixed defects. Receiver operating characteristic showed that beta reserve and A x beta reserve, but not A reserve, are sensitive parameters for detecting perfusion defects with areas under the curve of 0.84, 0.85, and 0.61, respectively. Cut-off values of 1.9 and 2.3, respectively, for beta and A x beta reserve yielded sensitivity rates of 79% and 80%, specificity rates of 75% and 78%, and overall accuracy rates of 76% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Quantitative estimation of myocardial blood flow reserve by MCE parameters corresponds to the evaluation of myocardial perfusion by nuclear imaging and can increase the sensitivity but not the overall accuracy of contrast echocardiography.     

能量多普勒造影技术在经静脉心肌声学造影研究中的临床初步应用

目的：观察能量多普勒造影技术（ＰＣＩ）行静脉心肌声学造影（ＭＣＥ）的效果。方法：利用ＰＣＩ技术观察６例非特异性胸痛患者及３例陈旧性心肌梗塞患者的经静脉心肌声学造影效果。其中,心肌梗塞患者在ＭＣＥ后一周内行核素检查。结果：６例非特异性胸痛患者均未见节段室壁运动异常,在声学造影剂注射后见全部心肌组织均匀显影 ３例陈旧性心肌梗塞患者则见梗塞相应部位室壁运动异常,且声学造影检查发现该部位多普勒能量信号缺失     

Effect of adenosine on myocardial oxygen balance.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of adenosine on oxyhemoglobin equilibrium (P-50) and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) in the isolated supported dog heart preparation perfused at a constant coronary blood flow. Heart rate was controlled at 150 beats/min. A-3-minute intracoronary infusion of adenosine (10, 50 and 100 mug/min) produced significant decreases in MVO2, whereas coronary venous P-50 did not change. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-AMP) infusion (70 and 140 mug/min) did not produce a significant change in MVO2. Both adenosine and 5'-AMP caused equivalent decreases in coronary artery perfusion pressure and peak left ventricular systolic pressure. Furthermore, adenosine (50 and 100 mug/min) produced a significant decrease in MVO2 of the isolated supported fibrillating heart. These results suggest that the reduction in MVO2 observed with adenosine is not related to coronary vasodilation or to a negative inotropic or chronotropic action. Theophylline (2.5 mg/kg) partially blocked the hemodynamic effects of adenosine while completely abolishing the decrease in MVO2. Neither inosine nor hypoxanthine (50 and 100 mug/min) changed MVO2, P-50 or myocardial hemodynamics. Thus, in addition to its proposed role in coronary blood flow regulation, adenosine appears to exert important effects on myocardial metabolism.     

Evaluation of immediate post-stress wall motion on adenosine stress/rest Thallium-201 Gated Myocardial SPECT

As early as 10 min after adenosine stress, immediate post-stress wall motion can be evaluated on adenosine stress/rest Tl-201 gated myocardial SPECT. To widen the applications of Tl-201 in gated SPECT, we investigated the reproducibility of LV parameters (EF, EDV, and ESV), and the diagnostic competency of immediate post-stress wall motion evaluations obtained by adenosine stress/rest Tl-201 gated myocardial SPECT. Myocardial perfusion and wall motion were evaluated using a 5-point scoring system in 20-segment model using Cedas automatic gated software (AutoQUANT 4.3.1). The reproducibilities of LV parameters were examined through repeated acquisition (n=31). Diagnostic competency was evaluated vs. coronary angiography, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether stress abnormal perfusion (SSSp), stress abnormal wall motion (SSSwm), or reversible abnormal wall motion (SDSwm) predict coronary stenosis (> 70%) (n=60). Two standard deviations for immediate post-stress wall motion were smaller than those for rest at EF (8.6 vs. 10.7%) and ESV (6.0 ml vs 8.4 ml). Univariate logistic regression analysis identified SSSp (p=0.006), SSSwm (p=0.016), and SDSwm (p=0.020) are significant predictors, but only SSSp (p=0.013) and SDSwm (p=0.039) were found to be significant by multivariate analysis. In addition, SSSwm or SDSwm were able to find undetected coronary artery disease in 54.5% (6/11) of patients with normal perfusion. We conclude that Tl-201 can be successfully applied to gated SPECT for immediate post-stress wall motion evaluation, and that reversible wall motion abnormality on adenosine stress/rest Tl-201 gated myocardial SPECT is an independent predictor of significant coronary artery disease.     

声学造影诊断无血流限制性冠脉狭窄的新方法

目的探讨应用声学造影(MCE)在非负荷状态下诊断无血流限制性冠脉狭窄(NFLS)的可行性.方法分别在犬的前降支(LAD)无狭窄及两种不同程度的NFLS状态,MCE 采用高机械指数连续脉冲成像方法;比较不同状态下心脏收缩末声学造影强度(VIS)与舒张末造影强度(VID)的比值,探讨应用MCE在非负荷状态下诊断NFLS的可行性.结果随着冠脉狭窄程度的加重,VIS与VID比值进行性增大(P＜0 .05) .结论测量心脏收缩期与舒张期声学造影强度比值可用于非负荷状态下诊断无血流限制性的冠脉狭窄.     

Adenosine triphosphate stress myocardial contrast echocardiography detects coronary artery stenosis with greater sensitivity than wall-motion abnormality measurements

BACKGROUND: Although stress myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can be used to detect coronary stenosis, its efficacy relative to other methods, such as detection of wall-motion abnormalities, remains unknown. Thus, the goal of this study was to compare the sensitivity of MCE versus wall-motion abnormality detection in the assessment of coronary artery stenosis. METHOD: Nine dogs with severe but nonflow limiting stenosis in the circumflex coronary artery underwent evaluation with real-time MCE along the short-axis view during infusion of Optison. The equation of y = a (1 - e -betat ) + c, which fits the replenishment curve of MCE, was calculated in the midseptum (normal region) and in the lateral wall (ischemic region) before and during adenosine triphosphate infusion. Wall-motion abnormalities were also evaluated by visual assessment and by measurement of wall thickening. RESULTS: Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in beta- and A x beta-value, and percent wall thickening, was 0.963, 0.963, and 0.889, respectively, indicating that the diagnostic accuracy for detecting the coronary artery stenosis by real-time MCE was higher than that by the wall-motion assessment. CONCLUSION: Real-time MCE has higher sensitivity in detecting coronary stenosis during adenosine triphosphate stress test when compared with wall-motion assessment.     

Myocardial contrast echocardiography for predicting functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction

Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a promising diagnostic tool for detecting microvascular integrity. The aim of the study was to investigate the comparative specificity and sensitivity of intravenous MCE, technetium-99m Sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and dipyridamole–dobutamine (DIDO) stress echocardiography for predicting functional recovery after coronary revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: In a prospective, observational study, 17 consecutive patients short after AMI who received successful treatment with primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) plus stent-implantation were examined with DIDO (dipyridamole with 0.28 mg/kg over 4 min plus dobutamine up to 10 mcg/kg/min), MCE (10 ml 4 g, 400 mg/ml Levovist^® intravenously; second harmonic power imaging) within 12–24 h and resting perfusion SPECT within 48–72 h after PTCA. Functional recovery of regional contractile function after 6-month follow-up was the gold standard to assess viability. Results: The rate of agreement between SPECT and MCE was 69% and between SPECT and a positive response to stress echo was 76% for combined DIDO. MCE showed a higher sensitivity (96%) in the identification of viability than SPECT (77%) and combined DIDO alone (79%). Specificity was lower for viability recognition with MCE (58%) compared with SPECT (93%) and DIDO (87%). Conclusions: The wall motion response during DIDO echocardiography is useful in the prediction of recovery of regional and global ventricular function after revascularization in patients after AMI. Combined intravenous MCE and DIDO is more accurate in the diagnosis of stunned myocardium than Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT alone.     

Assessment of resting perfusion defects in patients with acute myocardial infarction: comparison of myocardial contrast echocardiography, combined first-pass/delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and 99mTC-sestamibi SPECT

Background Information on the accuracy of both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) for the identification of perfusion defects in patients with acute myocardial infarction is limited. We evaluated the accuracy of MRI and MCE, using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging as reference technique.Methods Fourteen consecutive patients underwent MCE, MRI and ^99mTc-MIBI SPECT after acute myocardial infarction to assess myocardial perfusion. MCE was performed by Harmonic Power Angio Mode, with end-systolic triggering 1:4, using i.v. injection of Levovist^®. First-pass and delayed enhancement MRI was obtained after i.v administration of Gadolinium-DTPA. At MCE, homogeneous perfusion was considered as normal and absent or “patchy” perfusion as abnormal. At MRI, homogenous contrast enhancement was defined as normal whereas hypoenhancement at first-pass followed by hyperenhancement or persisting hypoenhancement in delayed images was defined as abnormal.Results At MCE 153 (68%) of segments were suitable for analysis compared to 220 (98%) segments at MRI (p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MCE for segmental perfusion defects in these 153 segments were 83, 73 and 77%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI were 63, 82, and 77%, respectively. MCE and MRI showed a moderate agreement with SPECT (k: 0.52 and 0.46, respectively). The agreement between MCE and MRI was better (k: 0.67) that the one of each technique with SPECT.Conclusion MCE and MRI may be clinically useful in the assessment of perfusion defects in patients with acute myocardial infarction, even thought MCE imaging may be difficult to obtain in a considerable proportion of segments when the Intermittent Harmonic Angio Mode is used.     

Fourier Phase Analysis Can Be Used to Objectively Analyze Real-Time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiograms

Background: Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is increasingly used to assess myocardial perfusion. However, objective methods for evaluating MCE are not yet widely available. We sought to validate the ability of Fourier analysis applied to MCE to assess serial changes in microvascular perfusion during coronary occlusion and reperfusion. Methods: Six pigs underwent 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Real time MCE was performed at baseline, during coronary occlusion, and at 5, 30, 60 and 120 min of reperfusion. Signal intensities from replenishment curves were fitted to an exponential function to obtain plateau SI (A) and the rate of SI rise (b). MCE images were mathematically transformed using a first-harmonic Fourier algorithm displaying the sequence of myocardial intensity changes as phase angles in parametric images. The phase angle difference (PD) of posterior vs. anterior region was calculated as an index of myocardial opacification heterogeneity and compared to MCE index of myocardial blood flow A×b. Results: After initial hyperemia, a progressive reduction in flow was observed during reperfusion. During LAD occlusion signal intensities were significantly reduced in anterior regions (A×b= 0.02 ± 0.01) compared to baseline (1.2 ± 0.34, p < 0.01) defining risk areas and approached higher levels postrecanalization (A×b= 1.48 ± 0.6) but gradually decreased during 120 min of reperfusion (A= 0.51 ± 0.3, p < 0.01). Similarly, profiles of phase angles in LAD perfusion territorities were consistently modified during reperfusion. The mean PD at baseline was 18°± 15°. PD decreased during coronary occlusion to –108°± 38°, increased to 29°± 19° postrecanalization but decreased to –61°± 35° after 120 min of reperfusion. PD significantly correlated with A(r= 0.8, p < 0.0001) and b(r= 0.73, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The progressive reduction in post-ischemic microvascular perfusion was accurately detected by real-time MCE. Fourier phase imaging is feasible to quantify dynamics of myocardial opacification in a simple and objective format and is a promising approach for the interpretation of contrast echocardiograms.     

Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography: a comparison with coronary angiography

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by positron emission tomography (PET) with the diagnostic accuracy of MPI by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in two comparable patient cohorts, using coronary angiography (CA) as the standard of reference. Methods A “SPECT-group” of 80 patients (15 female, 65 male; mean age 60 ± 9 years) and a “PET-group” of 70 patients (14 female, 56 male; mean age 57 ± 10 years) underwent a one day stress/rest examination either with attenuation-corrected ¹³N-ammonia PET or attenuation-corrected ²⁰¹TlCl SPECT or ^99mTc-hexakis-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitril (MIBI) SPECT. PET and SPECT results were semiquantitatively graded using a 6-segment heart model. All patients underwent CA, and stenoses were graded as a diameter reduction ≥50%. Results Coronary findings between both groups did not significantly differ at CA. For the SPECT-group overall sensitivity and specificity for localisation of stenoses was 77% and 84%. Respective values for the PET-group were 97% and 84%. The specificity of MPI by SPECT in the detection of ischemia was 74% and 91% for MPI by PET. The diagnostic accuracy of MPI improves when the individual coronary dominance and previous coronary revascularisations are taken into account. Conclusion MPI by ¹³N-ammonia PET is more sensitive in the detection and localisation of coronary stenoses, and more specific in the detection of ischemia than MPI by ²⁰¹TlCl/^99mMIBI SPECT.     

负荷心肌超声造影测定冠状动脉血流储备的临床应用

目的:探讨负荷心肌超声造影测定冠状动脉血流储备(Coronary flow reserve,CFR)的无创方法,并将其应用于评价冠状动脉微循环功能障碍(Coronary microcirculation dysfunction,CMD)。方法:人选161例因胸痛住院的非阻塞性冠状动脉疾病患者,所有患者均进行三磷酸腺苷负荷心肌造影,用QLab定量分析静息和负荷后平台期信号强度(A)和信号强度增加率(β)。心肌血流量(Myocardial blood flow,MBF)用A×β表示,CFR=MBF负荷/MBF静息。CMD定义为CFR<2.0。用Logistie多元回归分析筛选CMD的影响因素。结果:在非阻塞性胸痛患者中CMD发生率为51.6%;与冠状动脉微循环功能正常者相比,CMD中糖尿病高脂血症和E/e'>15比例明显增加,Logistic多元回归分析显示,E/e'>15是CMD发生的独立危险因素。结论:负荷心肌超声造影是测定CFR的有效无创方法;在非阻塞性胸痛患者中CMD发病率高,且与左室舒张末压升高有关。     

心肌超声造影在肥厚型梗阻性心肌病室间隔心肌化学消融术中的价值

目的探讨选择性靶血管心肌超声造影在肥厚型梗阻性心肌病室间隔心肌化学消融术中选择靶血管、判断消融范围、防止并发症中的作用。方法肥厚型梗阻性心肌病37例。室间隔心肌化学消融术中向拟定的靶血管远端注人心肌超声造影剂后即刻和注入无水酒精后5min，超声记录心尖四腔观、胸骨旁左室长轴观、左室短轴观，观察造影剂显影范围、比较造影剂显影范围和无水酒精显影范围。结果37例患者中2例因冠状动脉血流显像技术显示无合适血管以供消融，而放弃心肌超声造影及消融治疗．2例因冠状动脉造影显示冠状动脉分布细小弥漫而放弃治疗，未行心肌超声造影。33例行心肌超声造影的患者，1例因左心室乳头肌显影、1例因右室调节束及右室乳头肌显影、1例因显影范围不在靶域、2例因显影范围过大放弃消融治疗。余28例均成功消融。术后即刻及术后7d，左室流出道压力阶差下降≥50％。部分病例显示无水酒精的显影范围小于心肌超声造影的显影范围。结论心肌超声造影可为肥厚型梗阻性心肌病的室间隔心肌化学消融间隔支靶血管的选择及消融范围的判断提供可靠的依据。     

腺苷负荷心肌超声造影评价冠状动脉狭窄程度的研究

目的 探讨腺苷负荷心肌超声造影(myocardial contrast echocardiography,MCE)对不同程度狭窄冠状动脉供血心肌灌注的评价作用.方法 24例冠心病患者总计384个心肌节段按照相应的供血冠 状动脉狭窄程度分为 A组(无狭窄)、B组(狭窄5O%～75%)、C组(狭窄76%～89%)及D组(狭窄≥90%).运用参数量化技术对静息及腺苷负荷MCE心肌灌注参数(A、β和A×β)进行定量分析,随后对四组各参数值变化幅度绘制ROC曲线并获得最佳截点和灵敏性、特异性.结果 静息状态,A、β和A×β值在A、B、C和D组中均逐渐降低,而A、B两组间差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05);腺苷负荷状态,A、B两组增加,C、D两组减少,ROC曲线分析显示,参数A×β的变化幅度诊断冠状动脉狭窄的曲线下面积最大,灵敏性和特异性分别为:B组 81.3%和94.9%,C组82.6%和84.5%,D组71.9%和86.3%.结论 腺苷负荷 MCE 可用于估测冠状动脉的不同程度狭窄.     

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。