BACKGROUND: No technique exists for objective evaluation of left ventricular wall motion in contrast-enhanced images. We tested a new technique for quantification of regional fractional area change using contrast-enhanced power modulation imaging with color kinesis. METHODS: The feasibility of this technique for detecting acute ischemia was first tested in 11 pigs. Next, the accuracy for detecting resting wall-motion abnormalities was determined in 52 patients requiring contrast and compared with conventional interpretation of 2-dimensional images by inexperienced readers. Expert interpretation of 2-dimensional images served as the gold standard. RESULTS: In pigs, coronary occlusion resulted in reversible hypokinesis and reduced regional fractional area change. In patients with poor acoustic windows, this technique's accuracy for quantitative detection of resting wall-motion abnormalities was 86% compared with 81% for conventional interpretation by inexperienced readers (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regional wall motion can be accurately assessed using color-encoded power modulation imaging for patients requiring contrast. This technique may prove a useful diagnostic aid to echocardiographers of varying levels of experience.
BACKGROUND: No technique exists for objective evaluation of left ventricular wall motion in contrast-enhanced images. We tested a new technique for quantification of regional fractional area change using contrast-enhanced power modulation imaging with color kinesis. METHODS: The feasibility of this technique for detecting acute ischemia was first tested in 11 pigs. Next, the accuracy for detecting resting wall-motion abnormalities was determined in 52 patients requiring contrast and compared with conventional interpretation of 2-dimensional images by inexperienced readers. Expert interpretation of 2-dimensional images served as the gold standard. RESULTS: In pigs, coronary occlusion resulted in reversible hypokinesis and reduced regional fractional area change. In patients with poor acoustic windows, this technique's accuracy for quantitative detection of resting wall-motion abnormalities was 86% compared with 81% for conventional interpretation by inexperienced readers (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regional wall motion can be accurately assessed using color-encoded power modulation imaging for patients requiring contrast. This technique may prove a useful diagnostic aid to echocardiographers of varying levels of experience.
Authors: Hans Jaochim Nesser; Lissa Sugeng; Cristiana Corsi; Lynn Weinert; Johannes Niel; Christian Ebner; Regina Steringer-Mascherbauer; Frank Schmidt; Georg Schummers; Roberto M Lang; Victor Mor-Avi Journal: Heart Date: 2006-09-15 Impact factor: 5.994