Cardiac Ultrasound

Cardiac ultrasound is sometimes called echocardiography which is a therapy that involves using sound waves to generate images of the heart. As such, it is a non-invasive and safe procedure which evaluate the anatomy and functioning of the heart.

It is based on the principles of ultrasound technology, it uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs.
Echocardiography involves use of high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) produced by a transducer placed on the skin of the chest. These sound waves then move through the body then if they reach a structure like the heart, some are reflected to the transducer. These returning sound waves are then converted into images by using real time view of the heart’s anatomy and functionality.

Evaluations of the general configuration and dimensions of the heart, with special emphasis on the number of chambers, valves, and prominent blood vessels.

Evaluation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to obtain information in concern with the ability of heart to pump.

Assessment of wall motion abnormalities indicates to ischemic heart disease or other heart diseases.

Assessment of the heart valve function of include the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonic valves.

Evaluation of different types of Congestive Heart failure specially, diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.

Detection of regional wall motion abnormality that may lead to myocardial ischemia of the LV.

Coronary evaluation such as echocardiographic examinations. Echocardiography plays a significant role in cardiology to diagnose and to evaluate different diseases of the heart muscles, valves, birth defects in heart, congestive heart failure or coronary artery diseases.

Ultrasound should not be carried out over open wounds, cuts, or parts that have active infections to present the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream or causes pain.
Patients who cannot sit still or cannot cooperate may find it almost impossible to have clear images obtained during the procedure. This is even more so seen in pediatric patients or patients with other cognitive abnormalities.

There are also some contraindications, especially when one has just had recent trauma or surgery of the chest area, especially involving an area that the ultrasound transducer will be applied over, for possible discomfort or damage to healing tissues.
Certain skin conditions in an area to which an ultrasound transducer is applied can make achieving clear images difficult. Open sores, severe rashes or skin lesions may be considered.
In transesophageal echocardiography, when a probe is placed into the esophagus to visualize images, patients with esophageal strictures, varices, or other lesions are considered careful candidates.

Echocardiology gives the size and the measurement of parts of the heart such as; left ventricle, right ventricle, atria and septum. Tests the mitral, aortic, tricuspid and pulmonic valves of the heart for diseases such a stenosis or regurgitation.

Estimation of the fraction of blood sent out by the left ventricle in each beat that gives information about the pumped function of the heart.

Recognition of any structure’s movement or dysfunction of the heart walls that can present ischemia or various cardiac diseases.

Presence of any irregularity or disfunction of the walls of the heart, which may point to ischemia or other heart diseases.

Evaluation of flow of blood through the heart’s valves with an aim of identifying regurgitation or stenosis.

Doppler ultrasounds help to estimate blood flow velocity in any areas of heart chamber and blood vessels.

Recognition of congenital anomalies in the structure present at birth. Identification of factors influencing the capacity for work in patients with disorders of the heart muscle, including hypertrophic, dilated, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.