Importance

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Abstract

This invention relates to a new ultrasound contrast agent of the type which relies on microbubbles for echogenicity. The improvement comprises enhancing the internal atmosphere of the microbubbles with an amount of perfluoropropane which is effective for visually detecting myocardial uptake upon echocardiogram following peripheral intravenous injection of said agent into a host. The contrast agent of this invention is unique in that it makes possible the non-invasive visual detection of myocardial uptake. In addition, the contrast agent of this invention makes feasible safe and consistent, non-invasive methods for visually assessing, qualitatively or quantitatively, not only myocardial perfusion, but renal and hepatic perfusion, and for detecting severity of coronary arterial stenosis. the invnetion also relates to a method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of injecting perfluoropropane-containing microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area, and ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an image of said predetermined area.

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First Claim