What is echocardiography?


Echocardiography is a study that uses quite harmless ultrasound waves to map the heart interior structure. The investigation may determine heart size and function and is used to diagnose diseases of the heart and cardiac valve. In this way, a moving picture on the ultrasound screen of the striking heart and the cardiac valve that opens and closes itself.

Often used in the same study, called Doppler technique, which aims to measure the delay with which ultrasound waves are returned in the flowing blood. In this way you can measure how the blood flowing through the heart. Doppler technique used, for example, to see if the heart pump effectively enough, or there is disease of the heart valves in the form of leaks or constrictions. Some congenital defects can also be revealed.

When is echocardiography?


In principle, any suspicion of heart disease, lead to an echocardiography performed. The most common reasons are high blood pressure, suspected heart failure, hardening of the coronary arteries, or in cardiac valve disease.
 
If there is suspicion of impaired pump function of the heart, for example after a heart attack, echocardiography can assess the extent of the damage. In certain lung diseases could be an echocardiography, as the survey also can measure pressure in the lung blood vessels, which can then be used to express the degree of lung disease.

By suspected bacterial endokarditis echocardiography can be used to locate more bacteria in vegetative operations cardiac valve while to see if the infected flap has been damaged.

How is the investigation?


An echocardiography is a painless examination, which only takes place outside of the skin. It is made with an ultrasound head, placed on the chest just above the heart. It uses a clear jelly, which lubricate the skin in order to facilitate the passage of ultrasound waves that pass through bad air. It lies on the side of a bauble that allows the physician to place the ultrasound heads particularly advantageous to visualize the heart structure.

The pictures are recorded on video, so you can compare with any. Future echocardiography. The study lasts about. half hour, and you can sometimes get results of the investigation with the same result while other times to be compared with results from other studies. This will then be convened later.

 

This article is formed on the Health Guide on 31.07.06


 





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