Cardiovascular Sonography: A Close Examination of Echocardiography and Its Implications on Heart Disease

Dr. LaKeidra Bell, Ed.D, R.T.(R)(ARRT)*

^*Clinical Coordinator and Didactic Faculty, Baton Rouge General School of Radiologic Technology, Baton Rouge, LA.

Address correspondence to: Dr. LaKeidra Bell, Ed.D, RT(R)(ARRT); Baton Rouge General School of Radiology, 3616 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806; E-mail: Lakeidra.taylorbell@brgeneral.org.

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

Echocardiography is the first choice for structural and functional evaluation of the heart. The concept of echocardiography was introduced in the 18^th century by Lazzaro Spallanzani. In the mid-1900s, Hellmuth Hertz and Inge Edler reported the first use of sonography for cardiac assessment and evaluation. Following its discovery, echocardiography has evolved tremendously to include many types of procedures that are performed today such as transthoracic, transesophageal, and stress exercise echocardiography, as well as multiple techniques including as 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, 3D echocardiography, and Doppler echocardiography. Throughout this course, the role of echocardiography and echocardiographic procedures will be discussed along with a variety of heart diseases and conditions, including: congenital heart diseases (such as patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, and Tetralogy of Fallot), valvular heart diseases, and pathologies that can alter the heart structure or function, including aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and cardiac tumors. Risk factors for, signs and symptoms of, preferred imaging modalities and techniques for, and possible treatments for patients with these conditions will be detailed. Also, types of echocardiograms, including transthoracic, transesophageal, and stress echocardiogram procedures and imaging techniques and patient preparation for each will be discussed.