Contrast echocardiography

Contrast echocardiography is an established and widely used technique employing gas-filled ultrasound contrast agents for diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, and contrast agents have become an integral part of a modern echocardiographic laboratory. Contrast echocardiography has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy, reproducibility, and confidence across a range of indications with reduced downstream costs. Microbubble contrast agents now have a proven safety track record and it is imperative that through appropriate education and training, use of contrast is encouraged in day-to-day clinical and echocardiographic practice. This chapter discusses the basic principles of contrast echocardiography and reviews the utility of this technique in different clinical settings.