Incidence of Left Ventricular Thrombus in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Previous studies using 2-dimensional non-contrast echocardiography have reported a post-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) left ventricular (LV) thrombus incidence of 3% to 24%. However, these studies were not performed with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), which improve accuracy in the diagnosis of LV thrombus. We aimed to determine the early incidence and clinical correlates of LV thrombus in a large consecutive cohort of patients with STEMI.

Impact of transesophageal echocardiography on management in patients with suspected cardioembolic stroke.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is frequently performed in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events to exclude a cardioembolic source. We aimed to determine the clinical impact of TEE on management. This is a retrospective single-center study of 1,458 consecutive patients hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who underwent TEE for evaluation of a suspected cardioembolic cause.

Real-time assessment of myocardial perfusion during balloon angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Balloon occlusion and release during elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provides a unique opportunity to study dynamic temporal alterations in myocardial perfusion in a controlled setting. These changes in flow and volume mimic those that occur during presentation with, and successful therapy of, ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Eleven patients underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) using a continuous infusion of Definity at baseline, during coronary occlusion, and during reactive hyperemia immediately after balloon deflation.

Combined assessment of microvascular integrity and contractile reserve improves differentiation of stunning and necrosis after acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We sought to determine the relative accuracy of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (LDDE) in predicting recovery of left ventricular (LV) function in patients with a recent anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Left ventricular dysfunction after acute MI may be secondary to myocardial stunning or necrosis. Myocardial contrast echocardiography allows real-time echocardiographic perfusion assessment from a venous injection of a fluorocarbon-based contrast agent.