Echocardiography is an imaging method performed by using sound waves. It shows how the heart muscle and valves work. It also provides information about how wide is your heart.
Echocardiographic diagnosis method is conducted for the following reasons:
Assess cardiac functions in general
Investigate the cause of heart murmurs, which are heard through the stethoscope, heart growth, unexplained chest pains, shortness of breath or irregular heart beat
Measure the shape and size of cardiac chambers
Control thickness and movement of heart walls
Evaluate the structure and thickness of pericardial membrane surrounding the heart
Identify diseases that affect the heart muscle
Clearly assess Heart valve structures and movements; if the patient has an artificial valve , evaluate the functions of artificial valve.
Assess blood clots and tumors in the heart
Check surgical interventions made because of heart diseases
Evaluate heart function after a heart attack
In case of a build-up of fluid around the heart , assess quantity and type of the fluid
Evaluate structures and diameters of main arteries coming out of the heart
Further investigate any clot, mass in the heart detected by TTE or diseases associated with infection of valves, called endocarditis,
Control any suspected expansion and rupture in aortic vessels
Evaluate the success of surgeries performed to repair heart valves or close holes in the heart
In the case of patients who will undergo a surgery other than heart surgery, make preoperative cardiac risk assessment
ECHO methods are studied under 4 titles:
Standard (Transthoracic ) Echocardiography
In this examination, x-rays are not used. The procedure is an ultrasound technology.
The procedure is generally completed in 15 minutes.
It is a painless procedure and has no side effects.
(Transesophageal) Echocardiography by esophagus
In certain cases where transthoracic echocardiography is unsatisfactory, transesophageal echocardiography can be needed.
This is a similar technique to gastroscopy.
Takes 15-20 minutes.
Stress Echocardiography
Stress echocardiography is an application of echocardiography performed using exercise methods or drugs that speed up the heartbeat.
This procedure is performed by recording echocardiographic images immediately before and immediately after exercise in the case of a treadmill exercise test or at each stage of the exercise in the case of a cycling exercise test.
Where exercise testing can not be done, medicated stress echocardiography is performed by intravenous administration of increasing doses of drugs which will increase heart rhythm and contraction, at specified intervals.
Takes about 1 hour.
Strain and Strain Rate Echocardiography
It is especially applied for the evaluation of strength and contractile functions of the heart muscle.
It is a new method.
No contrast substance is used. Takes about 15–30 minutes.
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