DOPPLER ENHANCEMENT WITH SH-U-508A IN MULTIPLE VASCULAR REGIONS

PURPOSE: To determine the magnitude and duration of peripheral vascula r and cardiac Doppler signal enhancement after intravenous administrat ion of contrast agent SH U 508A. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Suboptimal car diac or peripheral vascular Doppler examinations were evaluated. A tot al of 75 intravenous bolus injections were made in 30 patients. Spectr al audio Doppler intensity was measured throughout the duration of con trast effect. RESULTS: No clinically relevant adverse effects were not ed, and Doppler enhancement was apparent in all cases. The diagnostic confidence of the investigators when scored before and after Doppler e nhancement improved from 35% to 91% (P < .05). Doppler intensity incre ased more than 16 dB in all vascular regions investigated (P < .05). T he contrast effect lasted for more than 120 seconds in the peripheral vascular and cardiac groups at equivalent doses. CONCLUSION: Intraveno usly administered SH U 508A is effective in markedly increasing cardia c, femoral arterial, and transcranial (cerebral arterial) Doppler sign al intensity. The effect improves the clinical diagnostic confidence i n eases of suboptimal unenhanced Doppler examinations.