What is a cardiac ultrasound?
What is a cardiac ultrasound?
A cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) is an diagnostic method that uses ultrasound to examine the heart. Echocardiography is used to determine structural and functional changes of the heart.
What is a cardiac ultrasound?
Cardiac ultrasound is not only an indispensable method for diagnosing heart disease, but also for monitoring and evaluating the efficiency of heart disease treatment. There are three possible approaches to conducting a cardiac ultrasound: transthoracic, transoesophageal and intracardiac echocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiogram is the only non-invasive method; the transoesophageal (via oesophagus) and intracardiac approach (via cardiac veins) are invasive examination methods that are not performed routinely.
How the ultrasound device works
How the ultrasound device works
The cardiac ultrasound helps the cardiologist diagnose and keep abreast of certain conditions of the heart by examining the heart’s structures and the surrounding blood vessels, analysing blood flow and assessing the heart's pumping function.
How the ultrasound device works
Ultrasound is a sound wave with a frequency above the audible range, i.e., exceeding 20,000Hz. In clinical diagnostics, frequencies ranging from 1.5 to 10MHz are used. In the human body, ultrasonic waves are partially reflected, refracted and scattered, losing energy with depth. The ultrasound device digitally analyses the signals received, which are in turn displayed in various ways. It creates a visual representation of cardiac structures based on the collected distances and amplitudes. A cardiac ultrasound grants insight into a wealth of information about the anatomy and flow. It enables us to assess the cardiac chambers and structures, their function, evaluate valve function and determine the possible presence of various additional formations in the heart or around it, and identify the possible changes in the pericardium.
The cardiac ultrasound helps the cardiologist diagnose and keep abreast of certain conditions of the heart by examining the heart’s structures and the surrounding blood vessels, analysing blood flow and assessing the heart's pumping function.
Preparing for and performing the cardiac ultrasound
Preparing for and performing the cardiac ultrasound
No special preparations are necessary in advance of a cardiac ultrasound. Before echocardiography, the patient may drink and eat as normal. Also, medication can be taken as usual unless instructed otherwise by the doctor.
Preparing for and performing the cardiac ultrasound
It is favourable to be familiar with the medications and the doses that the patient is taking. Remember to bring all the documentation connected to any previous cardiac exams with.
A cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure. To examine the heart, measure the heart chambers, vessel blood flow, and other important parts, the cardiologist uses an ultrasound probe. During a cardiac ultrasound, the patient lies on their left side with their left arm placed under their head. Occasionally, the patient is required to hold in her or her breath. Throughout the ultrasound exam, the ECG is also recorded. The cardiac ultrasound duration depends on the complexity of the changes of the heart and tissue transparency. It can last from 20 minutes to an hour. Regardless, the exam is not associated with any discomfort for the patient. After the exam, the doctor will write up a report describing the condition of the heart, the size of the heart, blood flow measurements in the heart and blood vessels, and finally recommend further diagnostics, if necessary.