Harmonic Power Doppler Contrast Echocardiography: Preliminary Experimental Results

Echocardiography. 1997 Nov;14(6 Pt 1):631-636. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8175.1997.tb00773.x.

Abstract

This preliminary experimental study demonstrates the potential usefulness of harmonic power Doppler imaging in producing left ventricular myocardial opacification and demonstrating intramyocardial coronary vessels during contrast echocardiography using Levovist, a saccharide-based contrast agent. The contrast effect was most dramatic when a vasodilator such as dipyridamole or nitroglycerin was used in conjunction with contrast injections of Levovist. No significant myocardial opacification was noted with B-mode harmonic imaging alone.