Safety of contrast-enhanced echocardiography within 24 h after acute myocardial infarction

Aims: Contrast-enhanced echocardiography is widely used to enhance left ventricular (LV) endocardial border delineation in stable patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, accurate assessment of LV function and size is important, but data on the safety of contrast-enhanced echocardiography in the early stage of myocardial infarction (within 24 h) are lacking. In the current study, the experience on the safety of contrast-enhanced echocardiography within 24 h of acute myocardial infarction is reported. Methods and results: A total of 115 consecutive patients (58 ± 11 years; 77% male) admitted to the coronary care unit for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction underwent clinically indicated contrast-enhanced echocardiography within 24 h of hospital admission to assess LV size and function. Perflutren (Luminity®, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma, Bruxelles, Belgium) was used as contrast agent. Safety was determined evaluating vital signs, physical examination, ECG, and adverse events. On contrast-enhanced echocardiography, the mean LV ejection fraction was 44 ± 11%, and 56% of patients had an LV ejection fraction ≤45%. Administration of echo contrast did not induce any significant change in vital signs, physical examination, and ECG. Major adverse events were not observed whereas minor events occurred in 4% of patients (hypersensitivity at the injection site in three and transient back pain in two). Conclusion: These data provide evidence on the safety of contrast-enhanced echocardiography in the first 24 h of myocardial infarction; larger patient cohorts are needed to confirm these findings.