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Contrast Agents for Echocardiography: Principles and Instrumentation

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Handbook of Contrast Echocardiography

Abstract

Contrast agents for ultrasound are unique in that they interact with, and form part of, the imaging process. Contrast imaging cannot be performed effectively without a basic understanding of this interaction and how it is exploited by the new imaging modes that have become available on modern ultrasound systems. In this chapter we consider how echocardiography might benefit from a contrast agent, describe currently available agents and explain their mode of action. We discuss the impact of ultrasound contrast on echocardiographic techniques and instrumentation and conclude with the most recent developments in this rapidly evolving field.

Shall I refuse my dinner because I do not fully understand the process of digestion?

Oliver Heaviside, 1850–1925

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Imaging Research Sunnybrook and Women’s Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M4N 3M5, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Peter N Burns (Professor of Medical Biophysics and Radiology)

  2. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Medizinische Universitätsklink und Poliklink II Kardiologie/Pneumologie, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany

    Harald Becher (Professor of Cardiology)

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© 2000 Harald Becher and Peter N Burns

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Burns, P.N., Becher, H. (2000). Contrast Agents for Echocardiography: Principles and Instrumentation. In: Handbook of Contrast Echocardiography. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59748-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59748-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-67083-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-59748-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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