Does contrast echocardiography induce increases in markers of myocardial necrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress suggesting myocardial injury?

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the patients and indication for contrast echocardiography

Diagnosis	n	Contrast imaging indication
Ischemic	n = 6
Coronary heart disease	6	Endocardial border detection / myocardial perfusion
Non-ischemic	n = 14
Dilated cardiomyopathy	6	Endocardial border detection
Aortic valve replacement	2	Doppler flow enhancement / Endocardial border detection
Myocarditis	1	Endocardial border detection
Chronic obstructive lung disease	1	Endocardial border detection
Hypertensive heart disease	2	Endocardial border detection
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy	2	Endocardial border detection / Doppler flow enhancement
Total	20

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