Two-dimensional and colour doppler contrast echocardiography of the right and left heart with the ultrasound contrast medium BY963 after intravenous administration in conscious dogs

Abstract Objective: To test a newly developed contrast agent for echocardiological application. Methods: The newly developed echo contrast agent BY963 consists of phospholipid containing microbubbles (spherosomes), which were prepared by a short agitation in a specially designed mixing chamber. During agitation, a small amount of air (36μl/ml) was incorporated into the forming spherosomes. The contrast agent was tested after intravenous injection in six conscious male dogs (24–37kg) for its contrast-giving properties in 2-D echocardiography of the left heart. Results: Three doses of the preparation (1, 2 and 3 ml) were injected at 10 min intervals. No adverse reactions or hemodynamic changes were observed. With 2-D echocardiography (B-mode) all injections resulted in a complete and homogeneous contrast in all four heart chambers, with a dose-dependent intensity and duration (diagnostic window of 20–30 s). With colour Doppler echocardiography, all injections resulted in a pronounced signal enhancement in the pulmonary vein, left atrium, mitral region and aorta descendens, with an homogeneous and clearly outlined colour area (diagnostic window about 30 s). Conclusions: Due to the different durations of the initial over-contrasted periods, the diagnostic windows of B-mode and colour Doppler examinations did not overlap, so that the B-mode and colour Doppler examination can be performed successively after one single injection.