Ultrasound contrast and real-time perfusion in conjunction with supine bicycle stress echocardiography for comprehensive evaluation of surgically corrected congenital heart disease

Shelby Kutty, Joan Olson, Christopher J. Danford, Erin K. Sandene, Feng Xie, Scott E. Fletcher, Christopher C. Erickson, John D. Kugler, David A. Danford, Thomas R. Porter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound contrast (UC) and low mechanical index real-time perfusion (RTP) in the haemodynamic and anatomic assessment of repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) at rest and during supine bicycle stress echocardiography (BSE). Methods and results: Patients with CHD (n = 51, median age 21.5 years) were prospectively studied. All had compromised image quality, 20 (39%) had arrhythmias, and 10 (20%) had pacemakers. RTP was performed at rest and during BSE using Definity and Contrast Pulse Sequencing, with assessment of Doppler pressure gradients. Diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot (n = 27), transposition of the great arteries (TGA) atrial switch (n = 10), TGA arterial switch (n = 2), aortic valve disease (n = 4), Fontan (n = 4), and Kawasaki disease (n = 4). UC with RTP improved endocardial border definition, with increased number of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) segments visualized at rest (P < 0.0001) and during stress. LV ejection fraction (EF) and RV fractional area change (FAC) were measurable at rest and peak stress, RV FAC correlating closely with same-day magnetic resonance EFs (r = 0.72; P < 0.001). UC enhanced Doppler signals, enabling subpulmonary ventricular systolic pressure measurements at rest and stress. In six patients, marked elevations of subpulmonary ventricular systolic pressure were detected with UC during BSE, and quantifiable ventricular dysfunction. No adverse events occurred, other than transient low back pain in one patient. Conclusion: UC at rest and with supine BSE enables safe and comprehensive assessment of anatomy, haemodynamics, and biventricular functional and perfusion reserve in adolescents and young adults with surgically modified CHD. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00861848. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)500-509
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean heart journal cardiovascular Imaging
Volume13
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Adult congenital heart disease
  • Paediatric cardiology
  • Real-time perfusion
  • Stress testing
  • Ultrasound contrast
  • Wall motion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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