974-41 Combination of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography and Dobutamine Echocardlography In the Assessment of Myocardial Viability

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1995-02, Vol.25 (2), p.251A-251A
• Main Authors: Meza, Mario F., Kates, Marc A., Wayne Barbee, R., Revall, Susan, Mobarek, Sameh, Murgo, Joseph P., Cheirif, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/0735-1097(95)92503-W

Independent studies using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and dobutamine-echocardiography have suggested that each of these techniques can individually identify viable myocardium. To determine if the combination of these techniques can be used to differentiate viable from nonviable myocardium, we studied 35 open-chest dogs in which coronary occlusions of various durations were performed (15minutes to 360minutes). Myocardial contrast echocardiography (area under the time-intensity curve) was performed with injections of sonicated albumin (Albunex®) in the aortic root at baseline, during occlusion, and following reperfusion with and without dobutamine administration. Regional function [% wall thickening (WT)], was assessed during all interventions. Criteria for viability were: return of perfusion (by MCE) and regional function (by WT) to preocclusion levels and postmortem TIC staining (+stain=viable myocardium). Results as shown below (MI=myocardial infarction):SensitivitySpecificityGroupMCEWTMCE+WTMCEWTMCE+WTNo Dobutamine:No MI4B3661100100100MI100100100485256With Dobutamine:No MI605287435760MI10086100605262 In conclusion, combination MCE-dobutamine echocardiography improves the sensitivity and specificity of either technique alone in diagnosing the presence of viable myocardium. This data could have important clinical implications.