Echocardiography is one of the ultrasound diagnostic methods used to study functional and morphological changes in the heart and its structures.. This diagnostic method allows you to assess the condition of the heart valves in the imaging mode. An echocardiogram is widely used for the early diagnosis of cardiac diseases, which makes it possible to detect pathology in time, according to the online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Indications for echocardiography of the heart Carrying out an ultrasound examination of the heart is prescribed for:.

Murmurs of varying degrees and localization in the heart;

Febrile states of uncertain cause;

Detection of ECG changes;

Suspicion of congenital or acquired heart defects;

Visible disorders on the radiograph - with an increase in the size of the heart or its structures, a modified aorta, accumulation of calcifications;

Arrhythmias, including felt;

Hereditary serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system;

Complaints of fainting, chest pain, swelling of the legs, severe shortness of breath and frequent dizziness;

An increase in blood pressure;

Past myocardial infarction;

Suspicion of the presence of a tumor of the heart, as well as the expansion of the thoracic aorta.

Echocardiography of the heart can detect the presence of neoplasms and diagnose various lesions. In addition, an echocardiogram is used to monitor the condition in ischemic disease, congenital heart defects, after a heart attack, with cardiomyopathy and arterial hypertension..

Also, echocardiography of the heart is recommended to take place with regular sports training and other activities that cause increased stress on the heart or with constant emotional stress.. In childhood, in the process of intensive development and growth in a child, and especially if congenital heart disease is suspected, an echocardiogram is also prescribed..

Fetal echocardiographyCongenital heart defects, which are one of the main causes of perinatal mortality, can be diagnosed by fetal echocardiography. This procedure is harmless to the fetus and allows you to assess intracardiac hemodynamics in the prenatal period, as well as to dynamically monitor indicators throughout pregnancy when detecting systolic heart murmurs. This method of echocardiogram of the heart and blood vessels is often used to assess the state of organs before the birth of a child, which allows timely diagnosis and treatment almost immediately after birth.. Fetal echocardiography examines the heart and blood vessels in detail, revealing congenital abnormalities in its work.

If necessary, fetal echocardiography is performed at 18-22 weeks of gestation.. Indications for the appointment of diagnostics are:.

Congenital heart defects in relatives;

Miscarriages before current pregnancy;

Diabetes;

Taking antibiotics, as well as medicines for epilepsy in the first trimester;

Deviations recorded on a planned ultrasound of the fetus at 20 weeks.

Fetal echocardiography is interpreted by cardiologists or a geneticist.

Cardiac Echocardiography MethodsDepending on the indications, cardiac echocardiography can be performed in several ways to assess various parameters:.

M-mode echocardiography - heart size and ventricular systolic work;

2D echocardiography - wall thickness and cavity dimensions, ventricular contractility, valvular status, and presence or absence of cavity thrombosis;

Transesophageal - the back wall of the heart, usually after a heart attack of the lower wall of the heart;

Intravascular ultrasound - the state of the coronary vessels;

Volumetric modeling of the heart;

Doppler Study - Central Dynamics;

Stress - changes in various segments of the heart caused by physical activity;

Contrast echocardiography - the state of the chambers of the heart.

Echocardiography is interpreted by a cardiologist. On the basis of the diagnostics carried out, the researcher can more than one hundred initial and calculated indicators and objectively evaluate:.

Contractility;

Condition and function of valves;

Functional state of the myocardium;

Presence of intracardiac thrombi;

Indicators of pumping function and contractility of the left ventricle in dynamics;

Dimensions of the cavities of the heart;

The thickness of the walls of the heart;

The presence of scars;

The degree of hypertrophy of the cardiac chambers.

Contraindications for Echocardiography Echocardiography is a safe diagnostic procedure with no absolute contraindications. However, with chest deformity that prevents normal diagnosis, as well as some allergic and inflammatory skin lesions in the heart area, it may be difficult to carry out..

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