[Hopeful future for echocardiography. Progress within both the function and perfusion areas].

Echocardiography is presently a feasible method for quantitative estimation of intracardiac flows, pressure levels and for hemodynamic evaluation of valvular disease. The evaluation of regional myocardial function is still based on subjective scrutiny, and no routine method for the estimation of myocardial blood flow is available. We present an overview of newly developed techniques that are beginning to gain purchase in clinical practice. The use of native second harmonic imaging to improve image quality and of tissue Doppler to provide objective measurements of regional myocardial function is discussed. This article describes the transformation of tissue Doppler information into parametric images as in strain rate imaging, and overviews the use of ultrasound contrast agents. Used together with new imaging modalities, myocardial contrast echocardiography holds promise for future quantification of myocardial blood volume and flow. Other emerging echocardiographic technologies discussed are non-invasive measurement of coronary flow reserve and three dimensional cineloop visualization, developed to increase our understanding of cardiovascular physiological and anatomical coupling.