Repeatability of the "flash-replenishment" method in contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the quantitative assessment of hepatic microvascular perfusion

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of the flash-replenishment method in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) perfusion imaging and assess quantitatively microvascular perfusion in the liver. Twenty healthy New Zealand rabbits were submitted to CEUS perfusion imaging with continuous intravenous infusion. Using flash-replenishment kinetics, the dynamic process of depletion and refilling of microbubble contrast agent was recorded. The hepatic microvascular perfusion parameters were calculated, including region of interest, peak intensity (PI), area under the curve (AUC), and hepatic artery to vein transit time (HA-HVTT). A consistency test was performed for multiple measurements by the same operator and blind measurements by two different operators. The hepatic perfusion imaging of 3×108 bubbles/min had minimal error and the best imaging effect and repeatability. The variability of the perfusion parameter measured at 3 cm depth under the liver capsule was at a minimum with coefficient of variation of 3.9%. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of measurements taken by the same operator was 0.985, (95% confidence interval, CI=0.927-0.998). Measurements taken by two operators had good consistency and reliability, with the ICC of 0.948 (95%CI=0.853-0.982). The PI and AUC of liver parenchyma after reperfusion were lower than before blocking; and HA-HVTT was significantly longer than before blocking (P<0.05). The flash-replenishment method in CEUS perfusion imaging showed good stability and repeatability, which provide a valuable experimental basis for the quantitative assessment of hepatic microvascular perfusion in clinical practice.

La meta de la reperfusión en los síndromes isquémicos coronarios agudos con elevación del segmento ST. El gran paradigma: "Lo que hay más allá del flujo TIMI 3 epicárdico: El TIMI 4 miocárdico" / The target of reperfusion in ST - elevation acute coronary syndromes: The major paradigm: "beyond TIMI 3 flow: The TIMI 4 or myocardial tissue - level perfusion"

En el tratamiento de los Síndromes Coronarios Agudos con elevación del segmento ST se ha avanzado en la última década de manera favorable en relación a la terapia fibrinolítica (TF), en los procedimientos coronarios intervencionistas (PCI) y con la utilización concomitante de los inhibidores de los receptores plaquetarios IIb/IIIa (IRP). El interés actual en relación al objetivo ha alcanzar en la reperfusión del infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM) ha girado de la arteria responsable del infarto (ARI) a obtener perfusión microvascular-tisular óptima. Se ha puntualizado que el establecer la mejor permeabilidad de la ARI (TIMI 3E) no es sinónimo de que también se ha obtenido en el tejido miocárdico (TIMI 4 M). Sabemos que puede existir disfunción microvascular producto de la microembolización plaquetaria o la ocasionada por la propia reperfusión, misma que esta ligada a los mediadores inflamatorios lo que da origen al "fenómeno de no- flujo", anomalía todas que ocurren en un número no despreciable de enfermos a pesar de haberse obtenido TIMI 3E. Hoy día hay técnicas y tratamientos que van encaminados a identificar y resolver estas anomalías con el fin de mejorar la perfusión microvascular en el IAM. A pesar de existir progresos en las estrategias de reperfusión en el IAM particularmente con el empleo adjunto de IRP y con la TF y que se obtienen en la ARI flujos TIMI 3E en el 50-75% de las veces y con los PCI en el 90-95%, no se han alcanzado reducciones significativas en la mortalidad, mas sí en la frecuencia de la retrombosis de la ARI, de los stents, de reinfartos y en algunos sujetos se observa mejoría de la función ventricular. Por lo tanto, hoy día estamos conscientes de lo que representa obtener perfusión óptima microvascular en el escenario del IAM. El gran paradigma es saber por lo tanto que hay más allá del TIMI 3E y si se alcanzo o no flujo TIMI 4 o miocárdico.

Treatment for ST- elevation acute coronary syndromes (acute myocardial infarction: AMI) has advanced rapidly in the last decade with major improvements in early fibrinolytic therapy (FT), primary percutaneous interventions (PCI) with the aid of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Recent interest has shifted from infarct related artery (IRA) patency to microvascular perfusion in the evaluation of patients with AMI. It is well known that establishing epicardial patency after AMI (TIMI 3 E) is not synonymus with tissue-level perfusion (TIMI 4M). Microvascular dysfunction due to the roles of platelet and inflammatory mediators in the no-reflow phenomenon occurs in a substancial proportion of patients despite thrombolytic therapy or PCI procedures. Techniques are now available that measure real tissue-level perfusion and also therapy is directed to optimize myocardial perfusion in patients with AMI. Despite advances, contemporary FT strategies with the combination of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors restore normal coronary flow (TIMI 3) in the IRA in only 50-75% and PCI achieves TIMI 3 flow rates in 90-95%, but only with modest reductions in mortality, but with significant reductions in rethrombosis of the IRA or stents, reinfarctions and in some patients with benefits in ventricular dysfunction. Therefore moving beyond the importance of TIMI 3 flow, the TIMI 4 flow, or improving tissue-level perfusion in the setting of AMI seems to be the paradigm for the treatment of ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.