CONTRAST-ENHANCED SONOGRAPHY OF VISCERAL PERFUSION DEFECTS IN DOGS

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of an intravenous contrast agent (FS069) for visualization of normal visceral perfusion compared with perfusion after segmental infarction in a canine model. Six mongrel dogs were used as subjects. Splenic, renal, hepatic, and s mall bowel perfusion was assessed without and with intravenous microbu bble contrast material using gray scale, color Doppler, pulsed Doppler , and color power Doppler sonography Each organ was then reassessed af ter ligation of a segmental vessel. Imaging was again performed withou t and with contrast material using all four ultrasonographic modalitie s. In all organs color and spectral Doppler signals were significantly enhanced from normally perfused tissue after intravenous contrast age nt injection. Ischemic areas were more conspicuous after contrast medi um injection except in the liver. Hepatic perfusion was maintained by portal flow in the liver despite arterial ligation. Ligation of collat eral arcades was required to produce bowel ischemia. Intravenous injec tion of FS069 improves evaluation of visceral perfusion and identifica tion of focal visceral ischemia in dogs. These results suggest that th is agent may increase sensitivity for detection of blood flow in small and deep vessels.