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Assessment of Myocardial Viability Using Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography
Author(s) -
Wei Kevin
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.0742-2822.2005.04034.x
Subject(s) - microbubbles , cardiology , medicine , myocardial infarction , revascularization , blood flow , ultrasound , radiology
Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a technique that uses microbubbles as a tracer during simultaneous ultrasound of the heart. The microbubbles can be used to provide quantitative information regarding the adequacy of myocardial blood flow (MBF), as well as the spatial extent of microvascular integrity. In acute myocardial infarction, MCE can identify the presence of collateral flow within the risk area, and can therefore predict preservation of myocardial viability and ultimate infarct size even prior to reperfusion. After reperfusion, the extent of microvascular no‐reflow can be determined, and has significant implications for recovery of left ventricular function. In chronic ischemic heart disease, MCE has also been shown to successfully differentiate viable from necrotic myocardium. This technique can accurately predict recovery of function after revascularization. More importantly, MCE can be used to identify viable segments that may help to prevent infarct expansion and remodeling, and thus improve patient outcomes.