Perfluorobutane ultrasound contrast agent and methods for its manufacture and use

A sonicated aqueous albumin-dextrose ultrasound contrast agent solution comprising:

• between about a two-fold and about an eight-fold dilution of aqueous albumin with between about 5% to about 50% by weight aqueous dextrose solution;
• said albumin between about 2% to about 10% by weight solution;
• and
• microbubbles the gaseous content of which contain an amount of perfluorocarbon gas which is effective for visually detecting myocardial perfusion upon echocardiogram following peripheral intravenous injection of said agent into a host.

A method for myocardial, renal or hepatic opacification comprising the steps of:

• (a) obtaining an echo contrast agent solution which comprises:
• (i) forming an aqueous albumin-dextrose solution containing between about a two-fold and about an eight-fold dilution of between about 5% to about 50 by weight dextrose and between about 2% to about 10% by weight human serum albumin, and
• (ii) sonicating said mixture to form microbubbles the gaseous content of which contain an amount of perfluorocarbon gas which is effective for visually detecting myocardial perfusion by echocardiogram following peripheral intravenous injection of said agent into a host;
• (b) introducing said echo contrast agent into a host by intravenous injection;
• and
• (c) performing an echo contrast study on said host using a suitable Doppler or ultrasound echo apparatus.