Peculiar clinical features of cellulitis in peripheral lymphedema.

Although the occurrence of cellulitis in lymphedema (LE) is believed to be an infection-related event, many findings in its clinical course seem to suggest that it is unlikely to be an infection. Therefore, we tried to clarify the specific features of cellulitis in LE. In-hospital courses of cellulitis obtained from medical charts were reviewed in the patients with leg LE (LE; 24 patients, 72admissions), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI; 28 patients, 29 admissions), and leg cellulitis secondary to wound infection without underlying disease (N; 42 patients, 42 admissions). The patients with LE complained of less local pain (peak numerical scale; LE: 1.4 ± 1.7, CVI: 4.1 ± 2.5, N: 3.2 ±2.0, p < 0.0001), showed an abnormally higher peak procalcitonin level (LE: 33.8 ± 34.8 (N = 7), CVI: 2.9 ± 5.8 (N = 8), N: 0.4 ± 0.6(N = 10), p < 0.05), and required fewer antibiotics (LE: 1.1 ± 0.3, CVI: 1.8 ± 0.9, N: 1.5 ± 0.9, p < 0.0001). These findings suggested that the occurrence of cellulitis in LE seems unlikely to be an infection-related type of cellulitis similar to that found in CVI.

Pleth variability index can predict spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Spinal anaesthesia carries a risk of hypotension. We hypothesized that pleth variability index and perfusion index would assess maternal volume status, and thus, allow identification of patients at higher risk of developing hypotension after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery were enrolled. All patients received spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (10 mg) and fentanyl (10 mcg). Blood pressure was measured every minute. Pleth variability index and perfusion index were automatically measured throughout the procedure using pulse oximetry on the index finger. In case of hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg or 80% of the baseline value), ephedrine 5 mg was administered. Receiver-operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analyses for spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension were performed. RESULTS: Hypotension occurred in 32 patients (64%). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve were 0.751 (95% confidence interval: 0.597-0.904) for pleth variability index before anaesthesia, 0.793 (95% confidence interval: 0.655-0.930) for pleth variability index after anaesthesia and 0.731 (95% confidence interval: 0.570-0.892) for perfusion index change (percent change in perfusion index induced by spinal anaesthesia). The optimal threshold value of pleth variability index (after anaesthesia) for predicting hypotension was 18% (sensitivity: 78.1%, specificity: 83.3%). Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was an independent factor for hypotension (odds ratio: 1.21, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was a good predictor of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery. In addition, perfusion index change after spinal anaesthesia has the potential to predict hypotension.

Accuracy and precision of non-invasive cardiac output monitoring devices in perioperative medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis†.

Cardiac output (CO) measurement is crucial for the guidance of therapeutic decisions in critically ill and high-risk surgical patients. Newly developed completely non-invasive CO technologies are commercially available; however, their accuracy and precision have not recently been evaluated in a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Cochrane Library of Clinical Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science to review published data comparing CO measured by bolus thermodilution with commercially available non-invasive technologies including pulse wave transit time, non-invasive pulse contour analysis, thoracic electrical bioimpedance/bioreactance, and CO2 rebreathing. The non-invasive CO technology was considered acceptable if the pooled estimate of percentage error was <30%, as previously recommended. Using a random-effects model, sd, pooled mean bias, and mean percentage error were calculated. An I2 statistic was also used to evaluate the inter-study heterogeneity. A total of 37 studies (1543 patients) were included. Mean CO of both methods was 4.78 litres min−1. Bias was presented as the reference method minus the tested methods in 15 studies. Only six studies assessed the random error (repeatability) of the tested device. The overall random-effects pooled bias (limits of agreement) and the percentage error were −0,13 [−2.38 , 2.12] litres min−1 and 47%, respectively. Inter-study sensitivity heterogeneity was high (I2=83%, P<0.001). With a wide percentage error, completely non-invasive CO devices are not interchangeable with bolus thermodilution. Additional studies are warranted to demonstrate their role in improving the quality of care.

Effect of three-size too large strong stocking on venous hemodynamics in normal subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To study the differences in impact on venous hemodynamics between larger size strong graduated elastic compression stockings (GECS) and appropriate size strong/moderate GECS. METHOD: In healthy legs fitted for a small (Group S; n = 8) and large (Group L; n = 8) GECS, air plethysmography was performed without GECS, with an appropriate size strong GECS (GECS1), with a three-size too large strong GECS (GECS2), and with an appropriate size moderate GECS (GECS3) in this order. RESULTS: In Group S, interface pressure with GECS2 was equal to or higher than that with GECS3. Decreased venous volume, unchanged ejection volume, and decreased residual volume were achieved by GECS, but differences in these parameters among GECS were not observed. Although insignificant, a similar tendency was found in Group L. CONCLUSIONS: A larger size strong GECS seemed to have equivalent interface pressure and impact on venous hemodynamics compared to an appropriate size moderate or strong GECS.

Goal-Directed fluid therapy with closed-loop assistance during moderate risk surgery using noninvasive cardiac output monitoring: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Goal directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has been shown to improve outcomes in moderate to high-risk surgery. However, most of the present GDFT protocols based on cardiac output optimization use invasive devices and the protocols may require significant practitioner attention and intervention to apply them accurately. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of GDFT using a closed-loop fluid administration system with a non-invasive cardiac output monitoring device (Nexfin™, BMEYE, Amsterdam, Netherlands). METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective moderate risk surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled. The primary anaesthesia team managing the case selected GDFT targets using the controller interface and all patients received a baseline 3 ml kg(-1) h(-1) crystalloid infusion. Colloid solutions were delivered by the closed-loop system for intravascular volume expansion using data from the Nexfin™ monitor. Compliance with GDFT management was defined as acceptable when a patient spent more than 85% of the surgery time in a preload independent state (defined as pulse pressure variation <13%) or when average cardiac index during surgery was >2.5 litre min(-1) m(-2). RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included in the study group. All patients met the established criteria for delivery of GDFT for greater than 85% of case time. The median length of stay in the hospital was 5 [3-6] days. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, GDFT management using the closed-loop fluid administration system with a non-invasive CO monitoring device was feasible and maintained a high rate of protocol compliance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02020863.

The utility of intra-operative three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography for dynamic measurement of stroke volume.

Measurement of left ventricular stroke volume and cardiac output is very important for managing haemodynamically unstable or critically ill patients. The aims of this study were to compare stroke volume measured by three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography with stroke volume measured using a pulmonary artery catheter, and to examine the ability of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography to track stroke volume changes induced by haemodynamic interventions. This study included 40 cardiac surgery patients. Haemodynamic variables were measured before and 2 min after haemodynamic interventions, which consisted of phenylephrine 100 µg or ephedrine 5 mg. We used Bland-Altman analysis to assess the agreement between the stroke volume measured by three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography and by the pulmonary artery catheter. Polar-plot and 4-quadrant plot analyses were used to assess the trending ability of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography compared with the pulmonary artery catheter. Bias and percentage error were -1.2 ml and 20%, respectively. The concordance rate in the 4-quadrant analysis after phenylephrine and ephedrine administration was 75% and 84%, respectively. In the polar-plot analysis, the angular concordance rate was 66% and 73% after phenylephrine and ephedrine administration, respectively. Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography was clinically acceptable for measuring stroke volume; however, it was not sufficiently reliable for tracking stroke volume changes after haemodynamic interventions.

Study on different bandages and application techniques for achieving stiffer compression.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between interface pressure and stiffness of compression achieved by various combinations of bandages and application techniques. METHOD: There were eight healthy volunteers. One roll (4.5 m) of four types of bandages with different extensibilities (0, 90, 108 and 218%) was applied to the leg in single-layer bandage fashion with eight random tensions. Then, the leg was wrapped with one to eight rolls in multi-layer bandage fashion. RESULTS: Each combination of bandage and application technique displayed an indigenous linear interface pressure-static stiffness index relationship. With single-layer bandage, lower extensibility was associated with higher static stiffness index at a given interface pressure. With multi-layer bandage, the static stiffness index at a given interface pressure was independent of the bandage type. CONCLUSION: The stiffness at a given interface pressure was affected by the extensibility with single-layer bandage but not with multi-layer bandage.

Preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations are associated with a risk of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery.

This study aimed to assess whether preoperative oxidative stress levels can predict postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Ninety-five cardiac surgery patients received an assessment of preoperative oxidative stress by measurement of hydroperoxide values in blood via the d-Rom test. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and also multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations in predicting the occurrence of major organ morbidity and mortality (MOMM). MOMM included death, deep sternal infection, reoperation, stroke, renal failure requiring haemodialysis and prolonged ventilation (>48 hours). The ability of preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations to predict MOMM was not significantly different from that of the European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.822 versus 0.821 respectively, P=0.983). The optimal threshold value of hydroperoxide concentration to differentiate between patients with and without MOMM was 450 UCarr (sensitivity, 87.0%; specificity, 81.9%). Duration of intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation time and hospital stay were significantly longer in patients with preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations ≥450 UCarr (H group) compared to those patients with preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations <450 UCarr (L group). An increase in preoperative hydroperoxide concentrations remained associated with an increased risk of MOMM (odds ratios: 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.03) and prolonged intensive care unit stay (odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.02), after adjusting for age, gender and EuroSCORE. In conclusion, an increased hydroperoxide concentration before cardiac surgery is an independent risk factor for severe postoperative complications.

Systemic vascular resistance has an impact on the reliability of the Vigileo-FloTrac system in measuring cardiac output and tracking cardiac output changes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the ability of the Vigileo-FloTrac system to measure cardiac output (CO) and track changes in CO induced by increased vasomotor tone, under different states of systemic vascular resistance (SVR). METHODS: Forty patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled. Haemodynamic variables including CO measured by the Vigileo-FloTrac system (version 3.02) (APCO), CO measured by a pulmonary artery catheter (ICO), and SVR index (SVRI) were recorded before (T1) and 2 min after (T2) phenylephrine administration (100 µg). Bland and Altman analysis was used to compare ICO and APCO at T1. We used four-quadrant plots and polar plots to compare the trending abilities between ICO and APCO. Patients were divided into three groups according to the SVRI value at T1, with low (<1200 dyn cm(-5) m(2)), normal (1200-2500 dyn cm(-5) m(2)), and high (>2500 dyn cm(-5) m(2)) SVRI states. RESULTS: A total of 155 paired data were collected. The adjusted percentage error was 46.3%, 26.4%, and 61.4%, and the concordance rate between ΔICO and ΔAPCO was 67.5%, 28.8%, and 7.7% in the low, normal, and high SVRI state, respectively. The polar plot analysis showed that the mean angular bias was -22.3°, -46.0°, and -3.51°, and the radial limits of agreement were 70°, 85°, and 87°, in the low, normal, and high SVRI state, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the reliability of the Vigileo-FloTrac system to measure CO and track changes in CO induced by phenylephrine administration was not clinically acceptable.

Dramatic Clinical Response of Relapsed Metastatic Extramammary Paget's Disease to Trastuzumab Monotherapy.

We report the first case of 68-year-old Japanese woman with metastatic HER2-positive extramammary Paget's disease that showed the validity of trastuzumab monotherapy. We administered trastuzumab at a loading dose of 8 mg/kg i.v., followed by a 6 mg/kg maintenance dose every three weeks according to a protocol for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancers and a near-complete response was achieved after the tenth infusion. The patient experienced a moderate headache and flushing during the first infusion, but had no advanced effects during subsequent infusions with ibuprofen and d-chlorpheniramine maleate. Given the dramatic response, the patient has had 17 infusions of trastuzumab with no disease progression. Thus, trastuzumab has few side effects and is well tolerated for elderly patients. It may become a new choice of the adjubant therapy of this disease.

Transversus abdominis plane block in combination with general anesthesia provides better intraoperative hemodynamic control and quicker recovery than general anesthesia alone in high-risk abdominal surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe cardiovascular disease are frequently hemodynamically unstable during abdominal surgery. Improving the safety of such patients by stabilizing intraoperative hemodynamics remains a major concern for anesthesiologists. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in combination with general anesthesia may facilitate optimum anesthetic management of these high-risk patients. METHODS: Patients with cardiovascular disease classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 3 were enrolled. The patients were undergoing elective abdominal surgery and were randomized to a group receiving general anesthesia and TAP block (Group T, N.=33) or a group receiving general anesthesia alone (Group G, N.=35). We compared the groups for intraoperative hemodynamic stability, anesthesia emergence time, amounts of anesthetics and opioids given, and frequency of emergency treatment with cardiovascular agents. A preliminary study demonstrated that systolic blood pressure and heart rate were maintained stable within 70-110% of their preanesthesia values throughout surgery in ASA 1 elderly patients without cardiovascular disease. Thus, the hemodynamically stable time was defined as the time when systolic blood pressure and heart rate were 70-110% of their preanesthesia values. The ratio of hemodynamically stable time to total operative time was used as an index of hemodynamic stability. RESULTS: The median (minimum-maximum) percentage of hemodynamically stable time was longer in Group T (91[50-100]%) than Group G (79[40-91]%, P<0.01). The mean sevoflurane concentration, amount of fentanyl given and frequency of vasopressor use were lower in Group T than Group G (P<0.05). Anesthesia emergence time was shorter in Group T (14[4-30] min) than Group G (18[9-52] min, P<0.01). No worsening of cardiovascular complications was observed. CONCLUSION: For abdominal surgery in patients with severe cardiovascular disease, combining TAP block with general anesthesia promotes intraoperative hemodynamic stability and early emergence from anesthesia.

Stroke volume variation as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing airway pressure release ventilation.

We investigated the effectiveness of stroke volume variation (SVV) shown by the Vigileo-FloTrac™ system (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) to predict fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing airway pressure release ventilation (APRV). All 80 patients mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit of our hospital from April to November 2010 were included in this study. After starting APRV, Ringer's lactate solution was administered for 30 minutes. Haemodynamic variables including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI) and SVV were measured before and after volume loading. SVV before volume loading was significantly correlated with absolute change in SVV (ΔSVV) and percentage change in stroke volume index (ΔSVI) after volume loading (ΔSVV: P<0.05, r2=0.534; ΔSVI: P<0.05, r2=0.217). Of the 80 patients, 38 (47.5%) were responders to intravascular volume expansion (increase in CI≥15%) and 42 (52.5%) were non-responders (increase in CI<15%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for SVV and central venous pressure by varying the discriminating threshold of the variable and areas under the ROC curves were calculated. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.793 for SVV (95% confidence interval: 0.709-0.877) and 0.442 for central venous pressure (95% confidence interval: 0.336-0.549), which were significantly different (P<0.05). The optimal threshold value of SVV to discriminate between responders and nonresponders was 14% (sensitivity: 78.9%; specificity: 64.3%). We found that SVV was able to predict fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing APRV with acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity.

Spike-monitoring of anaesthesia for corpus callosotomy using bilateral bispectral index.

During corpus callosotomy for intractable epilepsy, the electrocorticogram is commonly recorded from electrodes placed on the brain surface to monitor of epileptic activity and assess the synchronisation of epileptic signals between the left and the right hemispheres. We evaluated the usefulness of bilateral bispectral index monitoring using two monitors and two sensors placed above the frontal region. Spikes were readily detected on the electroencephalogram on the bispectral index monitor, and the frequency of their occurrence increased or decreased in response to adjustment of the sevoflurane concentration. The disappearance of synchronisation between the left and the right hemispheres was observed with use of the bispectral index - in concordance with the electrocorticogram. Thus, 'spike-monitoring anaesthesia' using bilateral bispectral index was useful in assessing both the effect of anaesthetics on the electroencephalogram signals and the surgical therapeutic effect.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting for simultaneous subacute stent thrombosis after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation].

An 82-year-old man developed simultaneous stent thrombosis 11 days after the implantation of a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The patient immediately underwent percutaneous coronary intervention; however, his condition became critical due to the development of recurrent stent thrombosis, and emergent coronary artery bypass grafting with saphenous vein grafts was performed. Postoperative angiography showed good patency of both grafts; thrombus formation in the LAD and RCA was negative. Since the patient had a history of liver dysfunction due to ticlopidine administration, the thienopyridine derivative was not administered; this was believed to be the main cause of subacute stent thrombosis. He was administered aspirin, cilostazol, and sarpogrelate instead. A good postoperative course was achieved only using aspirin. This case demonstrates that simultaneous SES thrombosis in multivessel lesions poses a life-threatening situation.

[Rupture of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in the lung: report of a case].

A 65-year-old man underwent a prosthetic graft replacement for a rupture of the saccular descending thoracic aneurysm in the lung. Chest computed tomography (CT) performed on the day of admission was suggestive of a thrombosed localized aortic dissection. However, sagittal plane CT performed on the following day indicated the rupture of a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The operation was performed approximately 36h after the onset of the symptom since diagnosis was difficult due to the following reasons. First, the size of the saccular aortic aneurysm was not sufficiently large, i.e., it was 4.5 cm diameter and 3.0 cm in length. Second, the aneurysm was completely filled with thrombus: therefore, it could not be enhanced on CT scanning. Third, since the aneurysm was present on the side of the greater curvature of the descending aorta, the protrusion of the aneurysm was very indistinct. Fourth, the amount of bleeding was not significant because the rupture was extremely small, approximately 2 mm in width. Fifth, only an interlobar hematoma was observed due to the tight adhesion of the lung with the aorta.

[Emergent coronary artery bypass grafting in a survivor of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest].

We report a case of emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a survivor of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A 64-year-old male driver lost consciousness and collapsed in a rice paddy field. A bystander placed him in a car and immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation after confirming the presence of pulselessness and apnea. Emergency medical service providers performed a defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation by using an automated external defibrillator (AED), and the patient was transferred to the critical care center in our hospital. Coronary angiography revealed a thrombus in the left main trunk (LMT), total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA), and 90% stenosis of the left circumflex artery (Cx). Since the patient recovered consciousness 1 hour after admission and did not undergo any critical trauma, an on-pump CABG was performed for 3 vessels. He was discharged on the postoperative day 23, and he resumed a normal life.

[Giant cardiac metastasis of myxoid liposarcoma causing cardiac tamponade; report of a case].

We report a very rare case of cardiac metastasis of myxoid liposarcoma. A 55-year-old man presented with dyspnea. Two and a half years ago, he underwent resection of myxoid liposarcoma in the left thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant tumor occupying the pericardiac cavity and pressing the heart and consequently causing cardiac tamponade. The patient underwent surgery through a left thoracotomy approach. The pericardiac cavity was filled with a giant tumor with a stalk from the right ventricle and 2 small nodules on the main pulmonary artery. He was relieved from the symptom: however, he had a recurrence of the tumor at the same site 5 months after the operation. He underwent surgery for the removal of the second tumor; however, he died 49 days after the operation. Although cardiac metastasis is a very rare condition, its awareness is essential for careful long-term follow-up for the early detection of a metastatic cardiac liposarcoma after the resection of the primary tumor.

[Ventricular free wall re-rupture after surgical treatment of ventricular free wall rupture due to acute myocardial infarction; report of a case].

An in-hospital 72-year-old male with complaint of anterior chest pain was presented with shock. Pericardial effusion was confirmed by echocardiography, and therefore, he was brought to the operating room immediately with diagnosis of ventricular free wall rupture. The repair was performed using fibrin glue, fibrin sheet, and pericardial patch. His post-operative course was uneventful until massive bleeding came through the chest tube on the 5th day from the initial surgery. The emergency sternotomy was made again for hemostasis. In the re-operation, an approximately 20 mm laceration along the proximal circumflex artery was found and this was successfully repaired with 2 pledgetted horizontal mattress sutures. It is important and necessary to treat a postoperative patient taking care of re-rupture.

Initiation of smooth pursuit in humans. Dependence on target saliency.

We examined the influence of target saliency on the initiation of smooth pursuit. The eye movements of five human subjects were recorded with the scleral search-coil technique. A video-projection system was used to create a pursuit target, consisting of a cluster of 14 red or green dots (0.5 degrees squares) extending randomly over a 3 degrees x3 degrees region, and a surrounding background, consisting of stationary, random dots of the same size and density extending over an area 70 degrees x 40 degrees. When the dots in the background and the target were of the same color, the target was indistinguishable from the background until it started to move. On the other hand, when the colors were different, the target was salient, even when stationary. We measured the changes in eye position over the 70-ms interval starting 70 ms after the onset of target motion (initial tracking response). When the target moved toward the fovea (centripetal motion), the initial tracking responses developed earlier when the dots in the target and background were of different color than when the two sets of dots were of the same color. However, in order to see this effect of target salience, it was critical that the colors be different before the onset of motion, but not afterwards. When the target moved away from the fovea (centrifugal motion), the initial tracking responses were independent of whether the colors of the target and the background were the same or different. Our data indicate that the initiation of tracking responses is very sensitive to the saliency of the target before the onset of target motion when that motion is toward the fovea.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic function using contrast two-dimensional echocardiography with a high-frequency transducer in the awake murine model of myocardial infarction.

The estimation of global left ventricular function using M-mode echocardiography has technical limitations in the murine model of myocardial infarction (MI), but the recent improvements in 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography using a high-frequency transducer provide more accessible images. Furthermore, intravenous injection of contrast agent has the additional benefit of enhancing the endocardial border in the murine heart. The present study was designed to evaluate the value of 2-D echocardiography with intravenous injection of contrast agent in the assessment of global systolic function of the murine heart with MI. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography without and with intravenous injection of contrast agent (Optison, 0.1-0.15 ml) were performed in 76 awake mice 2 days before and 2 days after left coronary artery ligation. Fractional shortening (FS) was calculated from the end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters on M-mode echocardiography, and fractional area change (FAC) from the end-diastolic and end-systolic areas on 2-D echocardiography. Both FS and FAC were compared with the areas of hypoperfusion observed in the pathological samples. The use of contrast agent improved the number of hearts that could be evaluated by both the M-mode and 2-D method (M-mode: non-contrast 87% vs contrast 99%, p<0.01; 2-D: non-contrast 26% vs contrast 89%, p<0.001). FAC from the 2-D method correlated better with the region of hypoperfusion in the pathological samples than did FS from the M-mode method (FAC: r=0.84 vs FS: r=0.51). In conclusion, FAC obtained from 2-D contrast echocardiography is useful for noninvasive assessment of global systolic function in infarcted murine hearts and can be used to serially assess systolic function in various models of the murine heart.