Echocardiography
Ultrasound assessment of cardiac structure and function.
What is Echocardiography?
Echocardiography is a non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique that provides detailed real-time images of the heart's structure and function. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart chambers, valves, and major blood vessels.
How it works: Sound waves emitted from the transducer bounce off heart structures, returning echoes that are converted into images. Different transducer positions (views) allow comprehensive assessment from multiple angles.
Common Uses of Echocardiography
Valvular Heart Disease Assessment
Evaluates valve stenosis, regurgitation, and prosthetic valve function with sensitivity of 90-95% for detecting significant lesions.
Heart Failure Evaluation
Assesses ejection fraction, wall motion abnormalities, and diastolic function to classify HF type and guide treatment.
Congenital Heart Disease
Identifies structural abnormalities like septal defects, valve malformations, and complex lesions in both pediatric and adult populations.
Pericardial Disease
Detects pericardial effusion, constriction, and tamponade with high sensitivity for fluid detection (>95%).
Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis
Characterizes different types of cardiomyopathy including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive patterns.
Advantages
- ✓Noninvasive with no ionizing radiation
- ✓Real-time imaging with dynamic assessment
- ✓Portable capability for bedside use
- ✓Cost-effective compared to MRI or CT
- ✓Excellent sensitivity for valvular disease
Limitations
- ⚠Operator dependent with image quality variability
- ⚠Limited acoustic windows in obese patients
- ⚠Cannot directly visualize coronary arteries
- ⚠Limited assessment of epicardial structures
Preparation Checklist
0 of 9 completed
⚖️Echocardiography vs CT
| Criteria | Echocardiography | CT |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Moderate | Fast |
| Radiation | No | Yes |
| Soft Tissue Detail | Limited | Good |
| Cost | High | Medium |
Related Imaging Modalities
Often combined with cardiac CT/MRI for comprehensive assessment. Nuclear imaging provides perfusion data not available with echo. Stress echo combined with nuclear SPECT improves diagnostic accuracy.
CT
CT scans use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. They are particularly useful for detecting bone fractures, tumors, and internal bleeding.
MRI
MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs and soft tissues. Excellent for brain, spine, and joint imaging.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images. Commonly used for pregnancy monitoring and examining organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Browse Echocardiography Terms
Explore common terms in Echocardiography reports, each with detailed explanations, clinical significance, and related lab tests to help you understand your imaging results. lab tests.
Diastolic Dysfunction on Echocardiography: What It Shows, Co
Abnormal mitral inflow pattern (E/A ratio alterations), increased left atrial size, elevated E/e' ratio, reduced tissue Doppler e' velocity, pulmonary venous flow abnormalities.
Infective Endocarditis on Echocardiography: What It Shows, C
Vegetations appear as oscillating or non-oscillating echogenic masses attached to valve leaflets, typically on the low-pressure side. May be sessile or pedunculated. Associated findings include valvular regurgitation, abscess formation, and prosthetic valve dehiscence.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy on Echocardiography: What It Sho
Asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) with interventricular septal thickness >= 15mm (or >= 13mm with family history). May show systolic anterior motion (SAM) of mitral valve, dynamic LVOT obstruction, and diastolic dysfunction. Apical variant shows 'spade-shaped' LV cavity.
Aortic Dissection on Echocardiography: What It Shows, Cost &
Intimal flap separating true and false lumens in the ascending aorta, aortic arch, or descending thoracic aorta. TEE shows high sensitivity for detecting dissection flaps, entry tears, and involvement of coronary arteries and aortic valve. Color Doppler demonstrates differential flow in true vs. false lumen.
Ejection Fraction Measurement on Echocardiography: What It S
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) calculated from end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. Normal LVEF is 55-70%. Reduced EF indicates systolic dysfunction.
Valvular Heart Disease on Echocardiography: What It Shows, C
Valve thickening, calcification, restricted motion, regurgitant jets, stenotic orifices. Chamber enlargement, pressure gradients, valve areas measured.
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