Power, spectral, and color flow Doppler enhancement by a new ultrasonographic contrast agent.

The ability of EchoGen contrast agent (Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Bothell, WA) to enhance aortic, renal, and scrotal spectral Doppler, color flow, and power Doppler sonography at doses from 0.01 ml/kg to 0.65 ml/kg was evaluated in dogs. Videotaped images were digitized and analyzed for Doppler signal strength at known postinjection times. Contrast agent increased aortic spectral Doppler peak height, spectral width, and brightness. Contrast agent increased renal and testicular color flow and power Doppler sonographic signal and enhanced the visualization of vascular anatomy. Intensity and duration of these effects increased with increasing dose of contrast agent. Enhancement effect varied in different organs. At higher doses, blooming and Doppler shift artifacts were observed and are believed to be due to machine limitation.