Summary and Conclusions Future applications of contrast ultrasound have expanded the use of microbubbles beyond enhancement of the left ventricular cavity, improvement in the delineation of cardiac structures and systemic Doppler signals, and even myocardial perfusion imaging. As discussed in this review, microbubbles can now be used to define molecular and cellular pathology within the vascular space. The ability to identify inflammation, angiogenic vessels, and early atheroma are only some examples of how this technology can be applied, and are likely to augment the diagnostic utility

of ultrasound not only for cardiac conditions, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical but for diseases affecting other organs which can be imaged using ultrasound. Targeted imaging using ultrasound certainly has the potential to enhance the ability to make earlier diagnoses, and to guide therapy. Furthermore, microbubbles may be used for therapeutic purposes, and enhance the delivery of drugs, genes, or other compounds directly

to a site of greatest need. Certainly much more research, validation, and training are needed before these Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical technologies will be incorporated into clinical Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical GABA receptor signaling practice – but the future of contrast ultrasound holds great promise and excitement. ​ Fig. 6 Perivascular deposits of fluorescent DNA delivered using microbubbles coupled to plasmid. See text for details. Redrawn from Christiansen et al.40)
Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome) is characterized by acute, reversible and transient left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction that resembles acute coronary syndrome but does not show significant stenosis on coronary angiography.1),2) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Emotional and/or physical stressor can be the triggering factor. Excessive release of catecholamines due to stressors has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of stress-induced cardiomyopathy because it causes structural changes of LV and disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis.3) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The recent body of evidence shows that postmenopausal women (90%) are predominantly affected by this syndrome and that stress-induced cardiomyopathy comprises 0.7-2.5% of cases of myocardial infarction (MI).4-6) Approximately

20% of complications were reported, including cardiogenic shock, heart failure, arrhythmias, intraventricular thrombus formation, LV free wall rupture, and even death.1),3),4) Easy accessibility at the bedside Urease of the hospitalized patient and the ability to use real-time noninvasive hemodynamic evaluation are the distinctive characteristics of echocardiography, particularly in the emergency setting. This review primarily addresses the role of echocardiography and emphasizes its usefulness in the diagnosis and management of this challenging disease. Definition and Diagnosis The criteria for the diagnosis of stress-induced cardiomyopathy have evolved over the years. The most recently available criteria were proposed by the Mayo Clinic in 2008.