Echocardiography
Echocardiography
: a record of high-frequency sound vibrations that have been sent into the heart through the chest wall
: Cardiac structures return the echoes derived from the ultrasound. The motions of the echoes are traced on an oscilloscope and recorded on a film
B. Purposes of the Procedure
Clinical Usefulness:
> demonstration of valvular and other structural deformities (e.g. mitral stenoses)
> detection of pericardial effusion
> evaluation of prosthetic valve function
> diagnosis of cardiac tumors, asymmetric thickening of interventricular system
> diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy (cardiomegaly)
Echocardiography Findings
C. Preparation of the Patient
1. No special preparation is required
2. Inform the client that the procedure is painless and takes approximately 30-60 minutes to complete
D. Procedure
1. The client has to remain still, in supine position slightly turned to the left side, with head of bed elevated to 15-20 degrees
2. Transducer is placed on the left sternal border and applied with ultrasonic gel to maintain airless contact between skin and transducer.
3. ECG is recorded simultaneously to time events within cardiac cycle
Echocardiography Procedure
