Quantitation of right ventricular volumes and ejection fraction by three-dimensional echocardiography in patients: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging and radionuclide ventriculography.

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) provides volumetric measurements without geometric assumptions. Volume-rendered 3DE has been shown to be accurate for the measurement of right ventricular (RV) volumes in vitro and in animal studies; however, few data are available regarding its accuracy in patients. This study examined the accuracy of 3DE for quantitation of RV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) in patients, compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide ventriculography (RNV).

A head-to-head comparison of infusion and bolus doses of adenosine for stress myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Background: This study was a head-to-head, intraindividual comparison of the diagnostic accuracy and side effect profile of bolus and infusion administration of adenosine for stress myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).

Methods: Adenosine MCE was performed in 64 subjects, referred for stress thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for known or suspected CAD. Each patient received adenosine by multiple boluses (6-12 mg/bolus) and infusion (140 mug/kg per min for 6 min) forms in random order, given at least 20 minutes apart.