Left ventricular volume determination using Albunex.

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of intravenous injection of Albunex to improve left ventricular volume determination in patients with various cardiac diseases. It is conceivable that the intravenous injection of microbubbles could improve echocardiographic left ventricular border delineation leading to improved interobserver variability. Echocardiograms were obtained during simultaneous intravenous injection of 0.08 and 0.12 ml/kg Albunex (four-chamber view). Within 6 hours after the recording of the contrast echocardiograms routine left heart angiography was performed. Volumes were measured using the slice method in native and contrast echocardiograms as well as in the angi…