Table 1 Contrast echocardiography agents
From: Bedside myocardial perfusion assessment with contrast echocardiography
Classification | Gas core | Shell | Trade name | Bubble size (μm) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First generation | Air | Albumin | Albunex | 2–8 | No longer made |
Air | Palmitic acid/galactose | Levovist (Schering, Kelinworth, NJ) | 2–8 | Non‐cardiac use mainly | |
Air | D‐galactose | Echovist (Berlex, Lachine, Quebec City, Canada) | 2–8 | First commercially available agent | |
Second generation | Octafluoropropane (C3F8) | Albumin | Optison (GE healthcare, Chalfont St Giles, UK) | 1–10 | Available in USA, Europe, South America |
Octafluoropropane (C3F8) | Lipid | Definity (BMS, Billerica, MA) | 1–10 | Available in USA, Europe, South America, Canada, Australasia | |
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) | Lipid | Sonovue (Bracca, Milan, Italy) | 1–10 | Available in Europe and USA (known as Lumason) |