Optimization of Microbubble Concentration and Acoustic Pressure for Left Ventricular High-Frame-Rate EchoPIV in Patients
IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, vol.68, no.7, pp.2432-2443, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 68 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2021
- Doi Number: 10.1109/tuffc.2021.3066082
- Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
- Page Numbers: pp.2432-2443
- Keywords: Blood flow imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), echo-particle image velocimetry (echoPIV), echocardiography, heart failure, high-frame-rate (HFR) imaging, ultrafast ultrasound imaging, ultrasound velocimetry, vector flow imaging (VFI)
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: No
Abstract
High-frame-rate (HFR) echo-particle image velocimetry (echoPIV) is a promising tool for measuring intracardiac blood flow dynamics. In this study, we investigate the optimal ultrasound contrast agent (UCA: SonoVue) infusion rate and acoustic output to use for HFR echoPIV (PRF = 4900 Hz) in the left ventricle (LV) of patients. Three infusion rates (0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 ml/min) and five acoustic output amplitudes (by varying transmit voltage: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 V - corresponding to mechanical indices of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.06 at 60-mm depth) were tested in 20 patients admitted for symptoms of heart failure. We assess the accuracy of HFR echoPIV against pulsed-wave Doppler acquisitions obtained for mitral inflow and aortic outflow. In terms of image quality, the 1.2-ml/min infusion rate provided the highest contrast-to-background ratio (CBR) (3-dB improvement over 0.3 ml/min). The highest acoustic output tested resulted in the lowest CBR. Increased acoustic output also resulted in increased microbubble disruption. For the echoPIV results, the 1.2-ml/min infusion rate provided the best vector quality and accuracy; mid-range acoustic outputs (corresponding to 15-20-V transmit voltages) provided the best agreement with the pulsed-wave Doppler. Overall, the highest infusion rate (1.2 ml/min) and mid-range acoustic output amplitudes provided the best image quality and echoPIV results.