About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular Ultrasound: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Cardiovascular ultrasound, also known as echocardiography, is a non-invasive imaging modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the heart and blood vessels. It plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing various heart conditions, including valve diseases, heart failure, and congenital heart defects.
Types of Cardiovascular Ultrasound
- Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE): This is the most common type of echocardiogram, performed by placing a probe on the chest wall to capture heart images.
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): In this method, a probe is inserted into the esophagus to get clearer images of the heart, useful for detecting clots or valve diseases.
- Stress Echocardiography: This test combines ultrasound imaging with physical or pharmacological stress to assess heart function under exertion.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Used to evaluate blood flow through the heart and vessels, helping to detect blockages or valve dysfunctions.
- 3D Echocardiography: Provides three-dimensional images, improving the assessment of heart structure and function.
Clinical Applications
- Heart Valve Assessment: Detects stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of heart valves.
- Heart Failure Diagnosis: Determines the ejection fraction (EF), which assesses heart pump function.
- Congenital Heart Disease: Identifies structural abnormalities from birth.
- Pericardial Diseases: Detects fluid accumulation around the heart (pericardial effusion) or thickening.
- Blood Flow Evaluation: Helps in assessing conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary hypertension.
Advantages of Cardiovascular Ultrasound
✅ Non-invasive and pain-free. ✅ No radiation exposure. ✅ Provides real-time dynamic images of the heart. ✅ Widely available and cost-effective compared to MRI or CT scans.
Limitations
❌ Image quality may be affected by patient anatomy (e.g., obesity, lung disease). ❌ TEE requires sedation and has slight discomfort risks. ❌ Operator-dependent technique requiring specialized training.
Conclusion
Cardiovascular ultrasound is an essential tool in cardiology, aiding in early diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of heart diseases. Regular echocardiographic examination can significantly enhance cardiac care.
Source recommendations
1. American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines
- https://www.asecho.org/guidelines-search/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30282592/
- https://www.asecho.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Guidelines-for-Performing-a-Comprehensive-Transthoracic-Echocardiographic-Examination-in-Adults.pdf
- https://www.onlinejase.com/content/aseguidelines
- https://www.asecho.org/guideline/
2. European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Scientific-Documents/Recommendations-and-position-papers
- https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/16/1/12/2403250
- https://www.escardio.org/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Association-of-Cardiovascular-Imaging-(EACVI)
- https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/20/12/1321/5572609
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29045589/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.