Tricuspid and Pulmonary Valves
Tricuspid and Pulmonary Valves Clinical Overview Disease of the tricuspid valve can be divided into primary and secondary anatomic abnormalities. Primary pathology of the tricuspid and pulmonary valve is relatively…
Hemodynamics
Hemodynamics Since its inception, one of the primary goals of echocardiography has been to provide hemodynamic information. This was initially accomplished using M-mode and later two-dimensional imaging, which allowed measurement…
Left and Right Atrium, and Right Ventricle
Left and Right Atrium, and Right Ventricle Left Atrium In the early history of echocardiography, the left atrium was one of the first cardiac structures to be identified, recorded, and…
Infective Endocarditis
Infective Endocarditis Despite advances in antibiotic therapy and surgical options, infective endocarditis remains a challenging and often fatal condition. One reason for this is the difficulty of establishing an accurate…
Pericardial Diseases
Pericardial Diseases Clinical Overview Anatomically, the pericardium consists of two layers. The visceral pericardium is contiguous with the epicardium and the parietal pericardium is the thicker fibrous sac surrounding the…
Evaluation of Systolic Function of the Left Ventricle
Evaluation of Systolic Function of the Left Ventricle General Principles Virtually all forms of acquired heart diseases may be associated with abnormalities of systolic function at some point in their…
The Echocardiographic Examination
The Echocardiographic Examination The ability to record high-quality echocardiographic images and obtain accurate Doppler flow recordings are essential determinants of the overall value of the echocardiographic examination. As such, echocardiography…
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Diastolic dysfunction as a cause of left heart failure and as a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events is now well established. Diastolic dysfunction is…
Contrast Echocardiography
Contrast Echocardiography Ultrasound contrast agents were first used in conjunction with clinical echocardiography in the mid-1970s. Early agents consisted of either agitated saline or agitated saline stabilized with indocyanine green…
Specialized Echocardiographic Techniques and Methods
Specialized Echocardiographic Techniques and Methods The basic principles of interaction of ultrasound with tissue and blood and the basic mechanisms by which an image is created were discussed in Chapter…
