Quantification of images obtained during myocardial contrast echocardiography

This article describes currently used quantitative methods for analysis of data obtained during myocardial contrast echocardiography. The specific issues addressed are: obtaining time-intensity curves from the myocardium in order to derive transit rates of microbubbles through the myocardium; defining spatial distribution of flow within a myocardial segment; and color-coding algorithms used to define the extent and magnitude of hypoperfusion within a cross-section of the heart. These methods are being adopted by several companies dealing with acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic data and should become available soon for clinical use.