APPLICATIONS OF CONTRAST IN ECHOCARDIOGRA PHY

The development of contrast media in ultrasound has been slow and spor adic, and there are no fully satisfactory agentes for clinical imaging to date. Most contrast agents consist of air filled microbubbles whic h generate scattered echoes and enhance the ultrasound information. In this article we review the different phases of contrast echocardiogra phy their potentials and clinical applications. First, right-sided ech ocontrast which is mainly used for the assessment of intracardica shun ts. Second, left-sided contrast agents with smaller and more stable mi crobubbles, that allow the visualization of the left ventricle after i ntravenous injection. With these agents, one it is now possible to stu dy myocardial perfusion which is one of the most attractive potentials of these types of agents.