ECHO/ DOPPLER CARDIOGRAPHY

A diagnostic Study that reveals information about:

The structure and function of the heart

Cardiac hemodynamics of the heart

THEORY AND TECHNIQUE OF THE STUDY

Utilizes the Application of Ultasonic waves being reflected back on hitting a structure

This is done utilizing a transducer that both sends out the beam and then receives it back

The transducer can have one crystal or multiple crystals

THEORY AND TECHNIQUE CONT’D:

Utilizing the technique of doppler with ultrasound allows the ability to quantitate the direction and velocity of objects

APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE:

M mode echo 2 DIMENSIONAL ECHO: Tran thoracic Echo- transducer directly on

the chest wall Transesophageal Echo- probe placed into

the esophagus and stomach Stress echocardiography- Tran thoracic

echo at rest and post stress or exercise

APPLICATION OF THE TECHNIQUE:

Doppler can be viewed as: Continuous wave- continuous transmission of

signal with 2nd transducer available to receive the signal

Pulsed Doppler- same probe transmits, waits an the receives

Color flow- vectors directions given colors, usually blue if flow is away from transducer and red if goes toward the transducer.

THIS TECHNIQUE ALLOWS THE EVALUATION OF:

Cardiac Chambers- size and motion or function

The thickness of the walls of the heart

Abnormal Objects in the heart: tumors or masses

Valvular structure (size and shape)

Valvular function (thickness, stenosis, or leakage)

Blood flow- hemodynamics

Other pathologies- fluid: pericardial effusion

THIS TECHNIQUE ALLOWS THE EVALUATION OF:

Other objects- vegetations etc.

Mechanical valves

Pacemaker wires

ABNORMAL IMAGES

LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION

VALVULAR DISEASE

AORTIC VALVE

MITRAL VALVE

CARDIOMYOPATHY

PACEMAKER WIRE

STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY