Open AccessContrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of myocardial stunning
Author(s) -
Nagy Andras,
Lengyel Mária,
Morales Maria Aurora,
Marzilli Mario,
L'Abbate Antonio,
Distante Alessandro
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960221214
Subject(s) - medicine , stunning , myocardial stunning , cardiology , myocardial infarction , perfusion , chest pain , contrast (vision) , electrocardiography in myocardial infarction , myocardial ischemia , radiology , ischemia , artificial intelligence , computer science
The identification of viable myocardium within dysfunctional myocardium has important clinical implications. By using a microvascular tracer, myocardial contrast echocardiography may have the potential for prediction of myocardial viability in the acute and subacute phases of myocardial infarction. In the case presented, the normal myocardial perfusion observed after intravenous injection of the contrast agent, combined with severe wall motion abnormality following prolonged chest pain, suggested myocardial stunning. This was confirmed by normal coronary angiography and by restoration of normal left ventricular function at 1‐month follow‐up echocardiography.