Contrast ultrasound has a variety of applications in cardiovascular medicine, both in diagnosing cardiovascular disease as well as providing prognostic information. Visualization of intravascular contrast microbubbles is based on acoustic cavitation, the characteristic oscillation that results in changes in the reflected ultrasound waves. At high power, this acoustic response generates sufficient shear that is capable of enhancing endothelium-dependent perfusion in atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (sonoperfusion). The oscillation and collapse of microbubbles in response to ultrasound also induces microstreaming and jetting that can fragment thrombus (sonothrombolysis). Several preclinical studies have focused on identifying optimal diagnostic ultrasound settings and treatment regimens. Clinical trials have been performed in acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease often with improved outcome. In the coming years, results of ongoing clinical trials along with innovation and improvements in sonothrombolysis and sonoperfusion will determine whether this theragnostic technique will become a valuable addition to reperfusion therapy.

对比超声在心血管医学中具有多种应用，包括诊断心血管疾病以及提供预后信息。血管内造影剂微泡的可视化基于声空化，即导致反射超声波发生变化的特征性振荡。在高功率下，这种声学响应会产生足够的剪切力，能够增强动脉粥样硬化血栓形成性心血管疾病（声波灌注）中的内皮依赖性灌注。响应于超声的微泡的振荡和破裂也会引起微流和喷射，从而使血栓碎裂（声溶栓）。几项临床前研究的重点是确定最佳诊断超声设置和治疗方案。已经在急性心肌梗塞、中风和外周动脉疾病中进行了临床试验，结果通常得到改善。在未来几年，正在进行的临床试验结果以及超声溶栓和超声灌注的创新和改进将决定这种诊断技术是否会成为再灌注治疗的有价值的补充。