LEFT-VENTRICULAR OPACIFICATION AFTER INTRAVENOUS-INJECTION OF ALBUNEX(R) - THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES

A clinical study has been performed to investigate the influence of di fferent administration procedures on the degree of contrast enhancemen t of the left ventricle. The administration variables assessed include d Albunex(R) injection rate, arm position, flushing rate and flushing fluid. Twenty-four healthy male volunteers were included. Compared to an injection rate of 1 ml/sec an injection rate of Albunex(R) of 2 ml/ sec caused an earlier appearance of contrast in the right ventricle (1 heart beat), whereas transpulmonary passage was not influenced. Horiz ontal arm position caused a delay in time to peak intensity of 2 to 3 heart beats in both systole and diastole as compared to elevated arm p osition. Injection rate of 1 ml/sec compared to 2 ml/sec caused a high er peak intensity and mean area under the curve and a longer mean time to peak intensity and transit time. Differences varied from 6 to 230 grey level units out of mean values of 2500. All the observed differen ces were small and thus probably of no clinical importance. The presen t study indicates that improvements in the pressure stability characte ristics of the albumin microspheres in Albunex(R) have been achieved. This implies that a simple administration procedure can be used. It is recommended that the contrast agent, after resuspension, is injected through a three-way stop cock cannula, followed by 10 ml of saline for flushing. The cannulas or syringes used should be no smaller than 20 G. The injection rate should be 1-2 ml/sec, depending on the diameter of the cannula. By using this procedure, a reliable transpulmonary pas sage and left ventricular opacification may be obtained.