Contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of myocardial stunning

The identification of viable myocardium within dysfunctional myocardium has important clinical implications. By using a microvascular tracer, myocardi al contrast echocardiography may have the potential for prediction of myoca rdial viability in the acute and subacute phases of myocardial infarction. In the case presented, the normal myocardial perfusion observed after intra venous injection of the contrast agent, combined with severe wall motion ab normality following prolonged chest pain, suggested myocardial stunning. Th is was confirmed by normal coronary angiography and by restoration of norma l left ventricular function at 1-month follow-up echocardiography.