Why a book on contrast echocardiography? Over the past dozen years enough experience has accumulated to warrant a more extensive treatment of this method. Furthermore, there are new developments that suggest increased clinical utility for contrast echocardiography in the future. This book aims to summarize the "state of the art" for those interested in echocardiography - presumably mainly cardiologists, but here and there those of a more technical bent will find useful information as well. We feel that a more basic understanding of microbubble dynamics is necessary to advance research for such applications as transmission through the lungs, videodensitometric quantitation of cardiac output, intracardiac shunts, etc. All of these topics are extensively dealt with. The reader will note that many of the clinical chapters are written by pediatric cardiologists. This is only natural, since shunt detection and analysis of flow relationships are relatively more important in congenital heart diseases, and cur rently represent the most important uses for contrast echo cardiography in day-to day practice.

Echocardiography has now reached its maturity and plays a key role in the clinical assessment of cardiac function. However, its ability to assess myocardial perfusion remains a clinical challenge. Myocardial contrast echocardiography is a technique that uses microbubbles. These microbubbles remain entirely within the intravascular space and their presence in any myocardial region denotes the status of microvascular perfusion within that region. During the last few years, a large number of research studies have been dedicated to this topic. The latest developments in echocardiographic techniques and second-generation contrast agents allow for the potential assessment of myocardial perfusion and provide an accurate endocardial border delineation. In the present book, these new echocardiographic techniques dedicated to the assessment of myocardial perfusion are described in detail by experts from both sides of the Atlantic. Tips and tricks are included, explaining the basic concepts that are needed to understand and perform contrast echocardiography.

This book will familiarize the reader with recent advances in echo imaging technology with special emphasis on echo enhancing agents. Several important strides have been made in this field during the past few years, especially in the contrast enhancement of conventional and color Doppler images. The book begins with chapters on the history of contrast echocardiography, the principles of contrast echo and descriptions of new contrast agents capable of transpulmonary passage following intravenous injection. Safety issues in contrast echocardiography are also discussed. The second section of the book deals with clinical uses of echo contrast agents. Their usefulness in the identification of cardiac structures and assessment of pathological lesions using both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are fully discussed. Technical and practical considerations in the use of various contrast agents are also described. The use of contrast echo in the identification of cardiac sources of embolism as well as possible mechanisms and clinical significance of spontaneous contrast echoes are also covered. Six chapters fully discuss the basics of contrast enhancement of conventional and color Doppler images and its clinical utility in the noninvasive assessment of pulmonary artery pressure, regurgitant and stenotic lesions and in the delineation of coronary arteries. Another chapter describes the non-cardiac applications of the echo contrast enhancement technique. The final section of the book investigates the role of echo contrast enhancement in quantitative cardiovascular analysis.

This sixth edition is enriched by over 300 figures, 150 tables and a video-companion collecting more than 100 cases also presented in the format of short movies and teaching cartoons. This extensively revised and enlarged edition of this long-seller documents the very significant advances made since the fifth (2009) edition and is entirely written by Eugenio Picano, a pioneer in the field sharing his lifetime experience with the help of an international panel of 50 contributors from 22 countries representing some of the best available knowledge and expertise in their respective field. In a societal and economic climate of increasing pressure for appropriate, justified and optimized imaging, stress echocardiography offers the great advantages of being radiation-free, relatively low cost, and with a staggering versatility: we can get more (information) with less (cost and risk). For a long time, the scope and application of stress echo remained focused on coronary artery disease. In the last ten years, it has exploded in its breadth and variety of applications. From a black-and-white, one-fits-all approach (wall motion by 2D-echo in the patient with known or suspected coronary artery disease) now we have moved on to a omnivorous, next-generation laboratory employing a variety of technologies (from M-Mode to 2D and pulsed, continuous, color and tissue Doppler, to lung ultrasound and real time 3D echo, 2D speckle tracking and myocardial contrast echo) on patients covering the entire spectrum of severity (from elite athletes to patients with end-stage heart failure) and ages (from children with congenital heart disease to the elderly with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis).

Dr. Otto's best-selling text not only explains how to qualitatively and quantitatively interpret echocardiographic images and Doppler flow data, but also outlines how this information affects your clinical decision making. This edition features new chapters on tissue doppler, intracardiac echocardiography, hand-held echocardiography, and echocardiography in inherited connective tissue disorders. A companion DVD offers case-based multiple-choice questions to help you assess your understanding. Whether you are attempting to choose a course of therapy, ascertain the optimal timing for intervention, arrive at a prognosis, or determine the possible need for periodic diagnostic evaluation, this is an essential resource you'll consult time and time again. Delivers clear and concise coverage of the basics of image acquisition that explains the how and why of echocardiography. Reflects the latest technology and standards of practice. Provides a clinically based approach to echocardiography, with an in-depth discussion of the main cardiac events seen in practice, including adult congenital heart disease. Devotes extensive detail to training, education, and quality assurance-making it the most comprehensive text on echocardiography. Includes a practical outline called The Echo Exam at the end of each chapter that presents necessary calculations, diagnoses, and examples along with guidance on how to interpret outcomes. Includes a bonus DVD containing 3 cases and 5 multiple-choice questions for each chapter that test your knowledge of the material. Perfect resource for Residents preparing for the boards. Offers an expanded section on echocardiography techniques that explains the latest applications for all types of practices. Discusses new echocardiography modalities, including contrast and 3-D echocardiography, so you can utilize the most promising new approaches for your patients. Includes new chapters on tissue doppler, intracardiac echocardiography, hand-held echocardiography, and echocardiography in inherited connective tissue disorders. Uses new, full-color line drawings and new color Doppler images to help you easily visualize cardiac problems.

The thoroughly revised Seventh Edition of Feigenbaum's Echocardiography reflects recent changes in the technology and clinical use of echocardiography. Highlights include over 1,600 illustrations, 600 in full color; detailed discussions on the use of three-dimensional echocardiography and perfusion imaging; and new information on the mechanics and utility of Strain and Strain rate imaging. Many new images complement the state-of-the-art information on technological advances. Current AHA/ACC guidelines are included for each chapter. An accompanying DVD contains tutorials on echo interpretation with voiceover and animations.

A definitive resource, The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Imaging, second edition provides extensive coverage of all cardiovascular imaging modalities. Produced in collaboration with the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging with contributions from specialists across the globe and edited by a distinguished team of experts, it is a 'state of the art' clinically-orientated imaging reference. Now fully revised and updated with the latest imaging techniques and technology and covering even more conditions than before, it not only discusses the principles of individual modalities but also clearly demonstrates the added value each technique can bring to the treatment of all cardiac diseases. Richly illustrated with colour figures, images, and tables and using a wealth of newly available evidence to link theory to practice, it demonstrates how these techniques can be used in the diagnosis of a range of cardiovascular diseases. Learning how to apply them in practice is made easy with free access to videos and imaging loops online along with the full text so that it is always available, even when on the move. Impressive in scope, The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Imaging contains information on cutting-edge technical developments in echocardiography, CT, CMR and hybrid imaging and well imaging's current role in cardiac interventions, such as identifying cardiac structures, helping to guide procedures and exclude possible complications. The application of imaging modalities in conditions such as valvular and coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, peri-myocardioal disease, adult congenital heart disease and aortic disease, is also extensively considered. From discussion on improved imaging techniques and advances in technology, to guidance and explanation of key practices and theories, this new edition of The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Imaging is the ideal reference guide for cardiologists and radiologists alike. This print edition of The ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Imaging comes with access to the online version on Oxford Medicine Online, for as long as the edition is published by Oxford University Press. By activating your unique access code, you can read and annotate the full text online, follow links from the references to primary research materials, and view, enlarge and download all the figures and tables.