Indications for conventional contrast echocardiography
| Indication | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| ASD, atrial septal defect, AV, arteriovenous; LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; RA, right atrium; RV right ventricle; SVC, superior vena cava; TR, tricuspid regurgitation; VSD, ventricular septal defect. | |
| Cardiac shunt (ASD, VSD, etc) | Negative contrast effect: “hole” in opacified RA or RV |
| Easy passage of contrast to LA or LV | |
| Extracardiac shunt: PDA | Visualisation of contrast in aorta and peripheral circulation without left heart effect |
| –pulmonary AV fistula | Appearance of contrast in LA via pulmonary veins |
| Patent foramen ovale | Contrast in LA immediately after visualisation in RA |
| Structure identification (persistent left SVC) | Visualisation of contrast in enlarged coronary sinus and RA after injection into left (but not right) antecubital vein |
| Evaluation of TR | Enhanced colour and spectral Doppler |
| Evaluation of complex congenital heart disease | Combination of above |