BACKGROUND: In three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), individual endocardial trabeculae are not clearly visible necessitating left ventricular (LV) volumes to be measured by tracing the innermost endocardial contour. Ultrasound contrast agents aim to improve endocardial definition, but may delineate the outermost endocardial contour by filling up intertrabecular space. Although measurement reproducibility may benefit, there may be a significant influence on absolute LV volume measurements. METHODS: Twenty patients with a recent myocardial infarction and good ultrasound image quality underwent 3DE using the TomTec Freehand method before and during continuous intravenous contrast infusion. LV volumes were measured offline using TomTec Echo-Scan software. RESULTS: The use of contrast enhancement increased end-diastolic (110+/-35 vs. 144+/-53 ml; p<0.01) and end-systolic volume measurements (68+/-31 vs. 87+/-45 ml; p<0.01) significantly compared with non-contrast; the ejection fraction remained unchanged (40+/-13 vs. 41+/-14%, p=NS). Measurement reproducibility did not improve significantly, however. CONCLUSION: Volumes measured by 3DE are significantly larger when ultrasound contrast is used. Possibly, intertrabecular space comprises a substantial part of the LV cavity. In the presence of an adequate apical acoustic window, ultrasound contrast does not improve LV volume measurement reproducibility. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:47-52.).
BACKGROUND: In three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), individual endocardial trabeculae are not clearly visible necessitating left ventricular (LV) volumes to be measured by tracing the innermost endocardial contour. Ultrasound contrast agents aim to improve endocardial definition, but may delineate the outermost endocardial contour by filling up intertrabecular space. Although measurement reproducibility may benefit, there may be a significant influence on absolute LV volume measurements. METHODS: Twenty patients with a recent myocardial infarction and good ultrasound image quality underwent 3DE using the TomTec Freehand method before and during continuous intravenous contrast infusion. LV volumes were measured offline using TomTec Echo-Scan software. RESULTS: The use of contrast enhancement increased end-diastolic (110+/-35 vs. 144+/-53 ml; p<0.01) and end-systolic volume measurements (68+/-31 vs. 87+/-45 ml; p<0.01) significantly compared with non-contrast; the ejection fraction remained unchanged (40+/-13 vs. 41+/-14%, p=NS). Measurement reproducibility did not improve significantly, however. CONCLUSION: Volumes measured by 3DE are significantly larger when ultrasound contrast is used. Possibly, intertrabecular space comprises a substantial part of the LV cavity. In the presence of an adequate apical acoustic window, ultrasound contrast does not improve LV volume measurement reproducibility. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:47-52.).
Authors: T Shiota; P M McCarthy; R D White; J X Qin; N L Greenberg; S D Flamm; J Wong; J D Thomas Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 1999-11-01 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: M A Schmidt; C J Ohazama; K O Agyeman; R Z Freidlin; M Jones; J M Laurienzo; C L Brenneman; A E Arai; O T von Ramm; J A Panza Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 1999-12-15 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: S De Castro; L Agati; D Cartoni; F Papetti; S Beni; R Adorisio; F Fedele; N G Pandian Journal: J Am Soc Echocardiogr Date: 2000-02 Impact factor: 5.251
Authors: L J Crouse; J Cheirif; D E Hanly; J A Kisslo; A J Labovitz; J S Raichlen; R W Schutz; P M Shah; M D Smith Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 1993-11-01 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Bernard Cosyns; David Haberman; Steven Droogmans; Sandrine Warzée; Philippe Mahieu; Eric Laurent; Marie Moonen; Sophie Hernot; Patrizio Lancellotti Journal: Cardiovasc Ultrasound Date: 2009-06-16 Impact factor: 2.062