Meet Dr. Sanjiv Kaul – James B. Herrick Award Winner
Dr. Sanjiv Kaul developed a better way to detect heart attacks through Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography (MCE). In MCE, doctors inject tiny bubbles the size of red blood cells into your veins that travel to your heart. The bubbles follow the movements of your heart and give doctors an accurate view of your heart’s blood flow. Today, more than five million people around the world have undergone MCE. It finds heart attacks other methods miss and saves lives every day. OHSU is one of only a few hospitals in the country using MCE.

In the news
- Dr. Sanjiv Kaul first in Oregon to receive prestigious national award in cardiology
- Oregonian: Heart health: Advice from cardiologists changes as people age
- Oregonian: Top tips to heart health: More exercise and less stress
- OHSU News: Historic gift from Phil and Penny Knight establishes institute for cardiovascular research and care at OHSU
Treating with microbubbles
One in every four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease. Coronary heart disease – the most common type – accounts for 380,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sanjiv Kaul, M.D. developed the microbubble-based myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) technique to provide earlier diagnoses and better treatment of those with heart conditions. Used more than five million times in patients around the world, myocardial contrast echocardiography combines microbubbles and ultrasound technology to create images of the heart. Dr. Kaul talks about his discovery and ongoing research aimed at utilizing these microbubbles to destroy blood clots as well as help detect and treat other ailments, including cancer. Learn additional details by viewing his presentation at the OHSU Marquam Hill Lecture series