Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intravenous injection of SHU 508 A improves the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of valvular pathologies. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with valvular pathology ( aortic stenosis, n = 48; aortic regurgitation, n = 20; mitral stenosis, n = 21; and mitral regurgitation, n = 36) and diagnostically insufficient Doppler signal were enrolled in this multicenter study. The severity of valvular pathology was graded on a four-point scale using unenhanced and contrast-enhanced Doppler echocardiography as well as cardiac catheterization. Agreement with cardiac catheterization findings increased from 63% using the unenhanced examination to 73% using the contrast-enhanced Doppler examination. Grading was possible in all patients using SHU 508 A, whereas the unenhanced Doppler examination remained inconclusive in six patients. The weighted kappa coefficient between contrast-enhanced Doppler and cardiac catheterization for all diagnoses was 0.76 as compared to 0.68 between unenhanced Doppler and cardiac catheterization. Agreement was especially improved in aortic stenosis (kappa 0.69 unenhanced vs 0.81 contrast-enhanced) and in aortic regurgitation (kappa 0.45 unenhanced vs 0.75 contrast-enhanced). Patients with mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation experienced less improvement. CONCLUSIONS:
|
Authors | W Lepper, A Franke, H von Bibra, H Becher, K Holz, M Näbauer, Z Vered, R Hoffmann, F A Flachskampf, P Hanrath |
Journal | Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
(Echocardiography)
Vol. 18
Issue 5
Pg. 363-72
(Jul 2001)
ISSN: 0742-2822 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11466146
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- Contrast Media
- Polysaccharides
- SHU 508
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Cardiac Catheterization
(methods)
- Contrast Media
(adverse effects)
- Echocardiography, Doppler
(methods)
- Female
- Germany
- Heart Valve Diseases
(diagnostic imaging)
- Humans
- Image Enhancement
- Israel
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polysaccharides
(adverse effects)
- Prospective Studies
- Severity of Illness Index
|