Trends in myocardial contrast echocardiography: parameteric versus volumetric imaging

It is now possible to perform myocardial contrast echocardiography at the bedside with an intravenous injection of commercially available contrast media. Although myocardial contrast echocardiography is a sensitive method for the detection of coronary stenosis and myocardial viability, its diagnosis has relied largely on the subjective interpretation of regional perfusion by experienced clinicians. Thus, quantification of myocardial contrast echocardiography data and displaying comprehensive images have been necessary for its routine application. In this review, new methods for quantifying or displaying myocardial contrast echocardiography parameters will be introduced: firstly, parametric imaging that displays the parameters of myocardial blood volume, blood flow velocity and myocardial blood flow separately; and secondly, color-coded maps of myocardial blood volume established from one myocardial contrast echocardiography image. These quantitative techniques can provide comprehensive and easy-to-understand images, although the quality of the baseline image remains a critical factor.