Ultrasound Echocardiography: what is it and why is it needed?

Ultrasound echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) is a non-invasive diagnostic method that allows you to assess the condition of the heart and large vessels using ultrasound waves.

This method is widely used in cardiology to diagnose various heart diseases, monitor the patient's condition and determine the effectiveness of treatment.

How does echocardiography work?

Echocardiography uses ultrasound waves that bounce off heart tissue and blood vessels to create an image on a screen.

This image allows doctors to see the anatomy of the heart in real time, evaluate its performance, and identify pathologies and circulatory disorders.

The procedure is absolutely safe, painless and can be performed many times.

Types of echocardiography

There are several types of echocardiography, each of which has its own characteristics and purpose:

1. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a classic method in which a sensor is applied to the patient’s chest. This is the most common and simplest research option.
2. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a more complex procedure in which a probe is inserted through the esophagus to obtain more detailed images, especially when standard ultrasound does not provide accurate information.
3. Stress echocardiography – performed under load (physical or medicinal), which allows you to evaluate the work of the heart under stressful conditions.
4. Contrast echocardiography – used to improve visualization of the cavities of the heart using a special contrast agent.

Indications for cardiac ultrasound

Echocardiography is prescribed for various heart diseases or suspicion of them. Main indications include:

1. Shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling of heart failure.
2. Suspicion of heart defects (both congenital and acquired).
3. Coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction.
4. Arterial hypertension.
5. Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias).
6. Heart tumors or blood clots.
7. Monitoring the condition after heart surgery.

How is the procedure done?

The cardiac ultrasound procedure takes about 20-40 minutes and does not require special preparation.

The patient lies down on the couch, and the diagnostician applies the sensor to various areas of the chest.

If necessary, to obtain more accurate data, a contrast agent can be used or stress echocardiography may be performed.

Benefits of echocardiography

1. Safety. Ultrasound has no harmful effects on the body, which makes the procedure absolutely safe for people of all ages, including pregnant women and children.
2. Information content. Echocardiography allows you to see a detailed image of the heart and evaluate its performance in real time.
3. Availability. The procedure is widespread and can be performed in both private and public medical institutions.

Where to do an ultrasound of the heart?

Echocardiography is one of the most popular diagnostic procedures in cardiology.

Modern medical centers offer various types of this procedure depending on the clinical need.

To sign up for a study, you can contact specialized clinics.

For example, ultrasound echocardiography https://mrt.com.ua/ru/uzi-ehokardiografiya available in clinics with advanced equipment and experienced specialists, which guarantees high quality diagnostics and accurate results.

Conclusion

Ultrasound echocardiography is a non-invasive, safe and extremely informative method for diagnosing heart diseases.

It helps to identify pathologies in the early stages, monitor the course of diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Regular echocardiography is especially important for people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.