GAS-FILLED LIPOSOMES AS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST AGENTS IN RABBITS WITH MYOCARDIAL INFARCTS

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors evaluated gas-filled liposomes a s echocardiographic contrast agents in rabbits with myocardial infarct s. METHODS. Ten rabbits underwent ligation of the left anterior descen ding coronary artery. Five animals underwent echocardiography before a nd after production of myocardial infarct (MI) and four animals had po st-MI imaging only. In either case, images were obtained before and af ter injection of a single dose of 1 mL of gas-filled liposomes. Three radiologists blinded to clinical information reviewed the pre- and pos tcontrast images and assessed endomyocardial border definition, wall m otion, confidence levels for normal versus abnormal wall motion and vi sualization of papillary muscle and mitral valve. RESULTS. Postcontras t scans showed significant improvement (P <.05) in endomyocardial bord er definition, visualization of wall motion, papillary muscle and mitr al valve as well as increased reader confidence level. CONCLUSIONS. Th ese results are encouraging and suggest that gas-filled liposomes may be a useful contrast agent for echocardiography.