Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. It helps assess the structure and function of the heart, including heart chambers, valves, and blood flow. This diagnostic tool is commonly used to identify heart conditions, monitor heart disease, and guide treatment decisions.

Purpose of Echocardiography

1. Diagnose Heart Conditions: Identifies structural abnormalities, such as congenital heart defects or valve diseases.
2. Assess Heart Function: Evaluates how well the heart pumps blood and the efficiency of its chambers.
3. Monitor Heart Disease: Tracks the progression of heart diseases over time to guide treatment decisions.
4. Guide Treatment Plans: Provides essential information for planning surgical or medical interventions.

How Echocardiography Works

1. Sound Waves Emission: A transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that bounce off heart structures.
2. Image Creation: The echoes from the sound waves are converted into real-time images displayed on a monitor.
3. Different Views: Various positions of the transducer provide different angles and views of the heart.
4. Non-invasive Procedure: The test is painless and typically does not require any incisions or needles.

Types of Echocardiography

1. Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE): The standard, non-invasive test done with a transducer placed on the chest.
2. Trans esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): Involves a probe inserted into the esophagus for clearer images of the heart.
3. Doppler Echocardiography: Measures blood flow and detects abnormal patterns using Doppler ultrasound technology.
4. Stress Echocardiography: Assesses heart function under stress, often after exercise or medication, to evaluate coronary artery disease.