INTRAVENOUS ALBUNEX DURING DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY - ENHANCED LOCALIZATION OF LEFT-VENTRICULAR ENDOCARDIAL BORDERS

Albunex is an intravenous contrast agent that opacifies the left ventr icle (LV). This study evaluated the effect of Albunex on the enhanceme nt of LV endocardial border localization during dobutamine stress echo cardiography (DSE). Albunex was infused in 30 patients at baseline and with low- and high-dosage dobutamine. Apical two- and four-chamber vi ews were divided into six segments each, and enhancement of LV border localization was compared with precontrast images graded as follows: 0 = none; 1 = faint; or 2 = optimal. The mean grade and percentage of s egments with optimal localization of LV endocardial borders were deter mined. There was a significant increase in enhancement with low- and h igh-dosage dobutamine when compared with baseline. Of 179 segments wit h suboptimal enhancement at baseline, 137 (77%) became optimal during DSE with Albunex. We conclude that Albunex improves localization of LV endocardial borders and that this localization is enhanced during DSE .