Related Experiment Videos
[Hopeful future for echocardiography. Progress within both the function and perfusion areas]
L A Brodin1, B Janerot-Sjöberg
1Funktionell bilddiagnostikutveckling, Huddinge Universitetssjukhus. lars-ake.brodin@labtek.ki.se
Insights
New echocardiography techniques offer objective measurements of heart function and blood flow. These advancements improve the assessment of myocardial function and cardiovascular hemodynamics, moving beyond subjective analysis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Medical ultrasound technology
- Cardiac physiology
Context:
- Echocardiography is established for quantitative intracardiac flow and pressure assessment.
- Evaluating regional myocardial function currently relies on subjective interpretation.
- Routine methods for estimating myocardial blood flow are lacking.
Purpose:
- To provide an overview of emerging echocardiographic techniques for enhanced cardiovascular assessment.
- To discuss advancements in imaging quality and objective functional measurements.
- To highlight the potential of new modalities for quantifying myocardial blood flow and volume.
Summary:
- Native second harmonic imaging enhances image quality.
- Tissue Doppler provides objective regional myocardial function data, transformable into parametric images like strain rate imaging.
- Ultrasound contrast agents, particularly in myocardial contrast echocardiography, show promise for quantifying myocardial blood volume and flow.
- Emerging technologies include non-invasive coronary flow reserve measurement and 3D cineloop visualization.
Impact:
- These techniques offer objective, quantitative data for myocardial function and blood flow assessment.
- Advancements improve the understanding of cardiovascular physiology and anatomical coupling.
- New modalities promise to enhance diagnostic capabilities for valvular heart disease and myocardial perfusion.
Abstract:
Echocardiography is presently a feasible method for quantitative estimation of intracardiac flows, pressure levels and for hemodynamic evaluation of valvular disease. The evaluation of regional myocardial function is still based on subjective scrutiny, and no routine method for the estimation of myocardial blood flow is available. We present an overview of newly developed techniques that are beginning to gain purchase in clinical practice. The use of native second harmonic imaging to improve image quality and of tissue Doppler to provide objective measurements of regional myocardial function is discussed. This article describes the transformation of tissue Doppler information into parametric images as in strain rate imaging, and overviews the use of ultrasound contrast agents. Used together with new imaging modalities, myocardial contrast echocardiography holds promise for future quantification of myocardial blood volume and flow. Other emerging echocardiographic technologies discussed are non-invasive measurement of coronary flow reserve and three dimensional cineloop visualization, developed to increase our understanding of cardiovascular physiological and anatomical coupling.