Improved 3-D-echocardiographic endocardial border delineation using the contrast agent FS069 (Optison (R)) transesophageal studies in a porcine model

3-D echocardiography has the potential for quantitative assessment of regio nal wall motion. However, the 3-D procedures used to date do not provide th e same spatial and temporal resolution as 2-D echocardiography, which resul ts in problems with border delineation of the endocardium. There are, as ye t, few studies testing if the use of contrast agent can improve endocardial definition in the 3-D data set. FS069 (Optison(R)) was used for the first time for this purpose in the present study. A total of 12 mechanically-vent ilated pigs were examined by transesophageal 3-D echocardiography, 1. using fundamental imaging and 2. following left-atrial injection of FS069 (Optis on(R)). The left ventricle was analyzed using an 18-segment model. Score wi th the value 0 (not visible), 1 (moderately visible) and 2 (well defined) w ere used to rate endocardial definition. All segments were assessed both en d-diastolic and end-systolic. Various LV regions were examined by grouping segments (anterior/lateral/inferior and basal/mid-ventricular/apical). Usin g the contrast agent, the proportion of nonvisible segments fell diastolic from 40 (18.5%) to 15 (6.9%), and systolic from 26 (12.0%) to 11 (5.1%). Th e proportion of well defined segments increased diastolic from 62 (28.7%) t o 108 (50%) and systolic from 73 (33.8%) to 123 (56.9%). The mean visibilit y score increased diastolic from 1.10 +/-0.68 to 1.43 +/-0.62 (p<0.001), sy stolic from 1.22<plus/minus>0.64 to 1.52 +/-0.59 (p<0.001). The benefit was greatest in regions where the visibility score was lowest without contrast : in the area of the lateral wall and systolic near the apex. In conclusion , the use of FS069 (Optison(R)) results in significantly better endocardial delineation in the 3-D data set. This could be important in future for the 3-D echocardiographic assessment of regional wall motion.