Echocardiography is a noninvasive technique that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the heart's internal anatomy. A beam of ultrasonic waves is directed at the heart and partially reflected back by each tissue in its path. These reflected waves (echoes) are converted into electronic signals. The signals are displayed on a video screen, producing an image of the heart walls, chambers, and valves in motion.
The echo images can be displayed in either one or two-dimensions. In one-dimensional (M-mode) echocardiography, each structure in the beam's path appears as a wavy line. The waviness represents motion during the cardiac cycle: the opening and closing of valves and the movement of chamber walls as the heart contracts and expands. With two-dimensional (2-DE) echocardiography, a cross-sectional image of the heart is displayed on the screen and movement of the heart is seen live as it occurs.
Doppler echocardiography is a variation of M-mode that records echoes not from the heart itself but from blood moving through the heart. The frequency of the reflected sound waves depends on the speed at which the blood is moving. Doppler techniques can be used to measure the speed of blood flow as well as detect abnormal flow patterns.
Echocardiography is widely used in hospital and diagnostic laboratory settings in evaluating individuals of all ages suspected of having heart problems. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
Echocardiography is useful in the diagnosis of many types of cardiac disorders including valvular disease, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), and coronary artery disease. It is also helpful in assessing the severity of these diseases and the prognosis. Since it is a noninvasive procedure, repeated examinations can be performed without risk in order to follow an individual's progress and assess the effectiveness of treatment.
One of the most important applications of echocardiography is in the assessment of valvular disease. Thickening or irregular shape of the valves can be detected and abnormal motion of the valves observed. In addition, Doppler techniques measure blood flow through a diseased valve.
Echocardiography is also used in a variety of disorders to assess the function of the heart muscle, especially the ventricles. Heart chamber volumes can be calculated. Wall thickness is measured and abnormalities of wall motion detected. Information on how well the heart is pumping can be obtained; however, this information is measured more accurately by cardiac catheterization.
Echocardiography is increasingly used with cardiac stress testing to evaluate individuals with chest pain. Echocardiograms are performed before and after exercise. If heart wall motion abnormalities appear after exercise but are absent at rest, this is a sensitive indicator of insufficient blood supply to the heart (myocardial ischemia).
Other uses of echocardiography include detection of masses inside the heart (tumors, blood clots), diagnosis of aortic disease (aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection), and detection of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion as seen in pericarditis). |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
The procedure is normally conducted in a hospital laboratory, clinical laboratory, or specialist's office on either an outpatient or inpatient basis. Echocardiography uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to produce an image of the internal structures of the heart.
An electronic device or transducer is placed on the surface of the chest. This converts electrical impulses into a narrow ultrasonic beam that penetrates body tissues but is reflected off surfaces where a change in tissue density occurs. The reflected sound waves are detected with a receiver also placed on the chest, transformed back into electrical impulses, and projected on the screen of a cathode-ray oscilloscope. Echoes from varied depths produce an image of the walls and valves of the heart and their motions. Such information can aid in diagnosing valve disease, congenital heart defects, and other cardiac abnormalities.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a special type of imaging procedure. A tube with a transducer on the end of it is passed down an individual's throat and into the esophagus. The esophagus is close to the heart. Images from TEE can give very clear pictures of the heart and its structures.
There is little if any discomfort with echocardiography. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
The outcome of the test depends on the skill of the operator. The individual should have no ill effects in undergoing the test. The test results are only for guidance and diagnosis of the underlying condition.
Information gained through echocardiography accurately reflects the condition under study. Coupled with other diagnostic techniques, the physician gains a clear picture of the scope and nature of heart actions and problems. This allows for a more informed and meaningful diagnosis. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Because it is a noninvasive technique, there are few, if any, complications. However, complications from the underlying disease may be present. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| No restrictions are necessary for procedure itself, only for the underlying condition. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| GeneralKeller, Seth. "Echocardiogram." MedlinePlus. 9 Jul. 2004. National Library of Medicine. 20 May 2005 <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003869.htm>. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor