CONTRAST ECHO: WHERE ARE WE NOW? 

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2011 October;59(5):491-7

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Contrast echocardiography: finding its place in stem cell therapy

Kim P. J., Yang P. C. ✉

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

To date, the underlying mechanism responsible for the restoration of the injured myocardium following transplantation of stem cells has not been clearly identified. Molecular imaging is essential to the continued progress of stem cell therapy by elucidating the biology of transplanted stem cells in vivo. Currently, several imaging modalities are in development in the rapidly evolving field of molecular imaging. Contrast echocardiography has the potential to define its role in shaping the future development of stem cell therapy. We describe the current state of contrast echocardiography and its future direction herein.