Journal of cardiology
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Journal of cardiology · Mar 1987
[Echocardiographic characteristics and clinical significance of the spontaneous contrast echoes].
Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast is caused by increased ultrasonic density in the cardiac chambers or great vessels, or both, with the characteristic flow pattern of blood, but in the absence of any intravascular injections. This study demonstrated the clinical features and characteristics of the echocardiographic findings of eight patients with spontaneous contrast echoes. Spontaneous contrast echoes were observed in the right heart in five patients, and in the left heart in two. ⋯ These water-vapor bubbles or gases could be the cause of spontaneous contrast echoes in the left heart. In conclusion, spontaneous contrast echoes in the right heart are produced by gas absorbed from the intestine because of porta-systemic shunting. The cause of spontaneous left-sided heart echo contrast may be related to prosthetic valve regurgitation, and consequently to hemolysis.