Parametric imaging of myocardial perfusion by contrast echocardiography

The arrival time into the myocardium (T) of an echo contrast agent injected into the coronary circulation is inversely related to coronary blood flow (CBF). The aims of this study were: (a) to develop a method able to measure T from a series of echo images and to display it as a parametric image, and (b) to test the ability of this method in detecting regional myocardial underperfusion. In baseline images no significant regional difference in T was measured and the myocardium showed a rather uniform color. During coronary underperfusion, ischemic walls showed a prolongation of T of 2.2 cardiac cycles relative to the normoperfused ones (P < 0.05) and a different color. Thus, a parametric imaging of myocardial perfusion by contrast-echo has been developed which identifies myocardial underperfusion.