Salvage of nondiagnostic transthoracic echocardiograms on patients in intensive care units with intravenous ultrasound contrast

Patrick J. Nash, Kathleen C. Kassimatis, Allen G. Borowski, Maureen G. Martin, Kathleen M. Reynolds, Cheryl A. Garcia, Annitta J. Morehead, James D. Thomas*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is often technically difficult on patients in intensive care units. Contrast echocardiography can improve left ventricular wall visualization and the assessment of regional and global left ventricular wall motion. Our study undertook to determine what proportion of nondiagnostic TTE studies on patients in intensive care units could be salvaged (i.e., converted to diagnostic studies) with contrast. Ninety-two patients with nondiagnostic TTEs had a repeat study after contrast. Using predefined criteria, 51% of studies were salvaged with contrast. Female gender emerged as the only factor associated with less likelihood of salvaging a study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)409-411
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Cardiology
Volume94
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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