Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Echocardiographic and Histological Examination of Cardiac Morphology in the Mouse
Published on: October 26, 2017
Intraoperative contrast echocardiography with intravenous optison does not cause hemodynamic changes during cardiac
1Department of Anesthesiology, German Heart Institute, Berlin. erbk@dhzb.de
Background:
The echocardiographic contrast agent Optison may be useful in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study investigates its effects on hemodynamics, cardiac performance, and oxygenation in this group of patients.
Methods:
Parameters of hemodynamic stability, cardiac performance, and oxygenation were measured in 57 patients by transesophageal echocardiography, electrocardiography, invasive arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure monitoring, capnography, pulsoximetry, and pulmonary artery catheter before and 5 and 10 minutes after an intravenous bolus of 0.3 mL of Optison.
Results:
No statistically significant differences in ST-segment changes, heart rate, arterial and central venous pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and regional wall motion were seen 5 and 10 minutes after injection of Optison compared with baseline parameters.
Conclusions:
Optison did not cause clinically important changes in parameters of hemodynamic stability, cardiac performance, and oxygenation in our patients. The intraoperative use of intravenous Optison appears to be safe in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including in the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

