Innovations in echocardiography

At the lecture the expert from Germany highlighted all advantages of contrasting in the diagnosis of heart and compared it with other imaging modalities. Contrast echocardiography is very important in cases when patients need implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization therapy, when estimation of dynamics in drug therapy or presence of a thrombus required, etc.

By presenting cases from clinical practice the speaker showed that this method gives a unique opportunity to improve imaging and to see what is beyond conventional and stress-echocardiography. This method is safe for patients, almost has no side effects, takes less time, and its high efficiency is proved by many studies. To use this method a physician does not need to get any additional specialty, it is enough to pass several training workshops and gain experience.

After the lecture Aleksandr Frumkin and Denis Nesterov, a specialist of Phillips company (Moscow) held a workshop on technology of contrast echocardiography in the Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics of Tyumen Cardiology Center. “Several patients with abnormalities of cardiac function were studied to get better imaging,” said Dr. Frumkin. “Conventional echocardiography does not give such accurate result; does not allow to see all necessary parts and chambers of heart.” The study is performed in the ultrasound investigation room wh ere a patient receives special intravenous medication. In a few seconds the image on the monitor is changing, it is becoming clear and a physician can get a complete view about functional and anatomic condition of the heart. It helps to improve the quality of study, to give an accurate diagnosis and, consequently, to prescribe optimal treatment.

Not only physicians from Tyumen Cardiology Center but also specialists from outpatient hospitals and clinics of Tyumen and Omsk became participants of the workshop. E. Guseva, a functional diagnostics physician from Omsk regional clinic arrived to ask the expert questions and get more information about contrast echo agents. “The topic is very interesting,” Elena pointed out. “A lot of literature about ultrasound contrast agents is published abroad. It has been applied in Russia before but not in cardiology. Now we have such opportunity. These data is very up-to-date. We all should try to introduce this method.”

For the reference:Echocardiography (ultrasound study of the heart) is widely used by cardiologists to give an accurate diagnosis. This investigation can help to evaluate the structure and work of valves, size of heart chambers, to measure amount of blood pass through ventricles and atriums. For a more detailed study of the heart, physicians perform stress echocardiography test artificially forcing the heart to work faster. However premature ventricular contractions can prevent from a clear view of heart chambers and make calculations. Today European and American specialists in ultrasound diagnostics use echo contrast agents – drugs that inserted intravenously during the procedure. Experts state that contrast agents essentially improve the quality of images and the quality of diagnostics in general. Use of contrast agents also reduce the percentage of unclear findings and as a result it allows to avoid such complicated methods of diagnostics as computer tomography and angiography. Soon the new method of ultrasound diagnostics will be available for patients of Tyumen Cardiology Center.