Use of contrast for image enhancement during stress echocardiography is cost-effective and reduces additional diagnostic testing

Three hundred fifteen patients undergoing stress echocardiography who had baseline suboptimal images were prospectively followed to study the economic impact of using intravenous contrast for image enhancement. During a 3-week follow-up, only 3% of those who received contrast enhancement underwent an additional nuclear study for the same clinica indication compared with 53% of those who did not receive contrast, resulting in a significant cost savings.