Echocardiology uses an echocardiogram, which is a non-invasive procedure that is used to evaluate and diagnose heart conditions. There are different types of echocardiograms. One or more of these may be used, depending on the doctor's diagnosis.
History
The origins of echocardiography date back to 1953 when Inge Edler, a physician, teamed up with Hellmuth Hertz, an engineer and the son of a Nobel laureate in physics. Hertz and Elder performed the first human echocardiogram at the Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden. The team used a shipyard sonar machine, which was used to detect structural flaws in boats. It was called an "ultrasonic reflectoscope."
Features
Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology, which can create a two-dimensional image of the heart. The image shows the entire heart, including both chambers and the valves. Additionally, the major blood vessels exiting from the left and right ventricles are shown in the image.
Echocardiogram Technique
During an echocardiogram, electrodes are attached to the patient's chest and shoulders and connected to wires. A gel is applied to the chest, and the echo transducer is placed on top of it. Then, the cardiologist makes recordings from different parts of the chest, so that he may obtain different views of the heart. The images are viewed on the monitor and recorded.
Benefits
An echocardiogram can determine if the patient's heart has any congenital malformations. Additionally, it can show how other other diseases, such as high blood pressure, lung disease, thyroid disease or inflammatory diseases have affected the heart. Echocardiograms can also determine whether the patient has had a previous heart attack.
Types
In a transesophageal echocardiogram, the transducer is inserted down the throat, into the esophagus. Since the esophagus is close to the heart, this type of electrocardiogram provides precise images of the heart without the interference of the lungs and chest. In a stress echocardiogram, the electrolobes are attached while the patient rides a stationary bicycle or exercises on a treadmill. This type of electrocardiogram is used to determine the patient's reaction to exercise. In a bubble echocardiogram, a saline bubble solution is injected through an intravenous line, while additional images are taken. This type of test evaluates the flow of blood through the chambers of the heart.
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