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(Stroke. 1997;28:1006-1008.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

Characteristics of Transcranial Doppler Signal Enhancement Using a Phospholipid-Containing Echocontrast Agent

Manfred Kaps, MD; Peter Schaffer, MD; Klaus-Dieter Beller, MD; Eng; Günter Seidel, MD; Harald Bliesath, MD, MSc; Edgar Diletti; Eng

From the Department of Neurology, University at Lübeck (M.K., G.S.), and Clinical Pharmacology and Biometry, Byk Gulden Pharmaceuticals, Konstanz (P.S., K.-D.B., H.B., E.D.), FRG.

Correspondence to Professor Dr med M. Kaps, Klinik für Neurologie, Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, FRG.

Background and Purpose Ultrasound attenuation caused by the skull is a major limitation of transcranial Doppler. Echocontrast agents (EAs) may solve this problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of a new echocontrast agent (BY963) containing air bubbles stabilized by phospholipids.

Methods Nine healthy volunteers received three different doses (2.5, 5.0, and 10 mL) of BY963 at an injection rate of 0.25 mL/s. The Doppler signal amplitude obtained from the middle cerebral artery was recorded with a 2-MHz pulsed-wave Doppler system. After complete decay of the signal enhancement, upward stroking of the veins of the upper arm was performed to evaluate the stability of the EA in the venous system.

Results A dose-dependent increase of at least 30 dB in the Doppler signal amplitude lasted 19 to 47, 35 to 64, and 48 to 126 heart cycles (68% range) after 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mL EA, respectively. In 6 cases, there was a biphasic increase in EA enhancement. Upward stroking of the forearm, in general 12 to 18 minutes after administration, caused a Doppler signal enhancement of at least 30 dB in 6 cases.

Conclusions Each injection of BY963 caused a diagnostically relevant Doppler signal enhancement. A considerable amount of EA remained stable in the venous system for at least 12 minutes. The biphasic dose-response fits to models of dilution-indicator theory and indicates free recirculation, as well as a nonlinear washout curve.

Key Words: cerebrovascular disorders • contrast media • ultrasonics

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