[Improvement of transthoracic pulsed Doppler imaging of pulmonary venous flow by intravenous injection of sonicated albumin].

Enhancement of pulmonary venous Doppler flow signals by intravenous injection of sonicated albumin was evaluated in 200 patients. Baseline pulsed Doppler signals were strong in 153 (77%) patients and weak in 47 patients. After injection of sonicated albumin, adequate pulsed Doppler flow signals were recorded in 44 (94%) of the 47 patients. Pulsed Doppler recordings could therefore achieve quantitative analysis in 197 patients (98%, p < 0.01). Signals were enhanced in proportion to the sonicated albumin dose (p < 0.01). No remarkable symptoms or complications were seen during and after examinations. Intravenous sonicated albumin improves transthoracic pulsed Doppler imaging of pulmonary venous flow. This simple and safe technique will obviate transesophageal recordings of pulmonary venous flow in adult patients and facilitate further studies of its diagnostic and monitoring value.