High-frequency ultrasonic detection of thrombi with a targeted contrast system

Site-targeted acoustic contrast agents used in conjunction with high-frequency intravascular ultrasound have the potential to localize and characterize intravascular pathology. The present study quantifies the utility of a novel, site-targeted ultrasonic contrast agent with high-frequency ultrasound (30 to 50 MHz) and demonstrates the feasibility of the new agent for augmenting detection of targeted pathology with intravascular ultrasonic catheters. High-frequency acoustic microscopy was used to image avidin-conjugated nitrocellulose membranes after exposure to a control or biotinylated contrast agent. Increases (p < 0.05) in backscattered power of approximately 6 dB (4-fold) were found for the biotinylated, but not the control contrast agent. Intravascular ultrasonic images (30 MHz nominal center frequency) of plasma clots after exposure to the targeted contrast agent were brighter (p < 0.05) than controls. These results demonstrate high-frequency acoustic enhancement with a novel targeted contrast agent and may extend the potential diagnostic spectrum of intravascular ultrasound. (C) 1997 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.