Comparison of the efficacy of two air-based contrast agents in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of the in vivo efficacies of Levovist(SH U 508 A) and Albunex, air-based contrast agents (CAs) with different shell materials, by direct comparison. METHODS: SH U 508 A, 300 mg/ml, and Albunex were injected intravenously at doses of 0.1 and 0.15 ml/kg, respectively, into the same dogs (n=6). Contrast enhancement in the left ventricle was evaluated visually and by off-line measurement of brightness. RESULTS: Both CAs yielded good peak contrast, while the duration of contrast enhancement with SH U 508 A was seven times that with Albunex. With Albunex, reduction of contrast enhancement at end-systole and in the late phase of diastole during one heartbeat was observed, and a positive correlation was observed between contrast enhancement and heart rate. Contrast enhancement was nearly constant during one heartbeat with SH U 508 A. CONCLUSION: SH U 508 A yielded consistent and longer contrast enhancement in the left ventricle than Albunex under the same conditions.