Cardiac imaging using Optison

Optison (human albumin microspheres; Mallinckrodt Inc., San Diego, CA) is an injectable suspension contrast agent indicated for use in left-ventricular chamber opacification and endocardial-border delineation. Substantial proportions of patients undergoing echocardiography have inadequate endocardial delineation and, therefore, wall motion (including stress echocardiography) without contrast. The extent of use of Optison for its current indications is likely to vary, and its use will depend upon the patient population and image quality obtained from noncontrast examinations. Early reports exist of its use in as many as 60% of patients undergoing studies in a given echocardiography laboratory. The rate of acceptance for endocardial delineation in stress echocardiography appears to be particularly high, because of the higher proportion of technically challenging studies whether with fundamental or second harmonic imaging. The ability to aid in differentiation of potential artifacts from pathology in the cavity has also been reported. Clinical studies have been conducted or are currently underway to evaluate Optison in the assessment of acute and chronic ischemic coronary artery disease. Studies in patients with unexplained acute chest pain and during exercise and pharmacologic stress have evaluated the ability of Optison to detect perfusion abnormalities as well as wall-motion abnormalities. The rapid evolution of ultrasound imaging modalities such as harmonic Doppler and broad-bond imaging will further enhance Optison's ability to characterize ischemic heart disease patients.