Novel ultrasound methods comprising administering to a patient a targeted
vesicle composition which comprises vesicles comprising a lipid, protein
or polymer, encapsulating a gas, in combination with a targeting ligand,
and scanning the patient using ultrasound. The scanning may comprise
exposing the patient to a first type of ultrasound energy and then
interrogating the patient using a second type of ultrasound energy. The
targeting ligand preferably targets tissues, cells or receptors,
including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor
cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The methods may be used to
detect a thrombus, enhancement of an old or echogenic thrombus, low
concentrations of vesicles and vesicles targeted to tissues, cells or
receptors.