September 2, 2020 — Journal of the American Society of Echocardiology (JASE)

Extract

Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a safe, portable, radiation-free imaging tool that produces high resolution, real-time images of the cardiovascular system, tumors, and organ blood vessels. When used during transthoracic echocardiography, CEUS can dramatically improve the detection of functional or structural abnormalities of the left and right ventricles, and enables detection and characterization of cardiac masses. Indeed, for over two decades contrast echocardiogra-phyhas been considered an essential component for a modern echocar-diography laboratory based on its ability to provide unique information that enhances diagnostic performance and reader confidence.1 Howev-er, CEUS procedures are underutilized in clinical practice despite exten-sive evidence-based professional guidelines supporting appropriate use.2,3 Several barriers to broader CEUS use have been proposed3 including inconsistencies in sonographer training and the logistics of es¬tablishing intravenous access and administering approved, commer-cially available ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs, sometimes also known as ultrasound contrast agents, or UCAs).

Authors: Sharon L. Mulvagh; Carol Mitchell; Jennifer Bagley; Linda Feinstein; Pam Burgess; Jonathan R. Lindner; Andre J. Lyshchik; Matthew Umland; Kathy Kelly; Beverly Gorman

Sonographers’ Communication