ECHO KG: what is it in medicine? Echocardiography and ultrasound of the heart - the same or different methods? What is an echo kg examination

One of the ways to examine and evaluate the human heart, its contractile activity is cardiac echocardiography (EchoCG), also called heart ultrasound. This definition includes 3 components: "echo" (echo), "cardio" (heart), "grapho" (depict). Based on the main component, we can conclude that echocardiography is performed by cardiologists.

It is she who makes it possible to obtain a visual image of the heart and blood vessels. This method belongs to ultrasonic, i.e., the study takes place by applying high frequency sound waves that are not audible to the human ear. To do echocardiography means to evaluate in real time:

The work of the heart muscle;
Condition of 4 chambers and valves;
The size of the cardiac cavities and the pressure in them;
The thickness of the walls of the heart;
Velocity of intracardiac blood flow (blood movement).

This method allows to identify intracavitary thrombi (congenital or acquired), zones of asynergy (impaired ability to carry out a cycle of certain movements), valvular changes.

This ultrasound method is used both to assess the heart in a normal state, and if any heart disease is detected. Echocardiography is also used if pulmonary artery pressure needs to be measured.

Benefits of echocardiography

The EchoCG procedure in the course of detecting cardiovascular diseases, including heart defects, is key due to its main characteristics, which include:

Modernity;
Safety;
Painlessness;
High information content.

Echocardiography does not have any harmful effects on the body, is not traumatic, does not carry radiation, pain, side effects. The procedure can take from several to 45 minutes - it all depends on the symptoms and the purpose of the procedure.

echocardiography procedure

It is with the help of this examination that the contractions of the heart, which are its main function, are evaluated. This is done by obtaining quantitative indicators that are analyzed later, and on the basis of which doctors make a conclusion. Specialists can recognize a decrease in this function even at the initial stage, after which the required treatment is prescribed. Repeated echo examination allows you to see the dynamics of the course of the disease, as well as the result of treatment

Indications for carrying out

For help, doctors who mandatory prescribe an ultrasound of the heart should be contacted in cases of the appearance of such symptoms:

, discovered during listening, and ;
Pain in the region of the heart and chest;
Signs (eg, liver enlargement, leg swelling);
Both chronic and acute ();
Rapid fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of air, frequent acquisition of a white tint by the skin, cyanosis of the skin around the lips, auricles, upper and lower extremities.

Ultrasound examination is performed after chest trauma, heart surgery. It is necessary to select a group of patients who should undergo echocardiography. These are those who complain of constant headaches that have become chronic. The need for such a study is explained by the fact that microemboli, particles of blood clots that move from the right side of the heart to the left side for a reason, could become a possible cause of pain.

Echocardiography is also necessary to diagnose heart defects, often congenital, as well as in the presence of prosthetic valves. Echocardiography is performed by patients with, when prescribing a course of antibiotic treatment in oncology. If a small child has poor weight gain, echocardiography may also be prescribed.

Hidden cardiac abnormalities can be detected by echocardiography in people who are actively involved in sports that require various stresses on the heart: weightlifting, diving, parachuting, long-distance running, etc. Diagnosis will help prescribe treatment in a timely manner and prevent severe complications of heart disease.

Echocardiography

There is no particular difficulty in preparing for echocardiography.. It is necessary to undress to the waist and lie down on the couch on the left side. This posture brings the left side of the chest closer to the top of the heart. This, in turn, gives a better picture of the heart from a four-chamber view.

Next, the gel is applied to the area of the chest where the sensors are attached. Their different positions allow you to visually see all parts of the heart and take measurements with fixation of performance indicators and sizes. The sensors connected to the echocardiograph do not cause pain or discomfort. The ultrasonic vibrations from the sensors are transmitted to the human body. Acoustic waves move in the tissues and change, and then return to the sensor. Here they are converted into electrical signals, which are processed by the echocardiograph. The change in waves is associated with changes in the state of the internal organs. This is precisely the difference between Echo KG and ECG (electrocardiogram), which shows a graphical recording of the activity of the heart, and not its structure.

The results are displayed on the screen as a clear picture. The described examination method is the most common and is called "transthoracic echocardiography" (from the Latin "thorax" - chest), indicating access to the heart through the surface of the patient's body. The doctor examining the human heart, in this position of the patient, sits to the left or right of him, controls the settings of the device, depending on the image displayed on the display.

If chronic heart disease has been identified, then echocardiography is recommended at least once a year.

When conducting an ultrasound scan for pregnant women at the 11-13th week of the term, it is possible to determine the main indicators of the fetal heart, the presence of chambers and determine the rhythm.

Transesophageal echocardiography

There are cases in which transthoracic echocardiography is prevented by certain factors. For example, subcutaneous fat, ribs, muscles, lungs, as well as prosthetic valves, which are acoustic barriers to ultrasonic waves. In such cases, transesophageal echocardiography is used, the second name of which is “transesophageal” (from the Latin “oesophagus” - esophagus). It, like echocardiography through the chest, can be three-dimensional. In such a study and the transducer is inserted through the esophagus, which is adjacent directly to the left atrium, which makes it possible to better view the fine structures of the heart. Such a study is contraindicated in the presence of diseases of the patient's esophagus (, bleeding, inflammation, etc.).

Unlike transthoracic echocardiography, a mandatory preparatory stage for transesophageal echocardiography is fasting by the patient for 4-6 hours before the actual procedure. The transducer placed in the esophagus is treated with ultrasonic gel and is often located in the location area for no more than 12 minutes.

Stress echocardiography

In order to study the work of the human heart with physical activity during echocardiography, according to indications, the following is carried out:

A similar load in certain doses;
With the help of pharmacological drugs cause increased work of the heart.

Since such a procedure may have the characteristics of a biased assessment, echo programs are used that simultaneously display images on a monitor recorded during various stages of the examination. This visual demonstration of the work of the heart at rest and at maximum load allows you to compare these indicators. A similar research method is stress echocardiography, which allows you to detect hidden disorders in the work of the heart, imperceptible at rest. Usually the whole procedure takes about 45 minutes, while the load level is selected for each patient separately, depending on the age category and state of health. As preparation for the stress echocardiography, the following actions of the patient can be called:

Clothing should be loose, not restricting movement;
3 hours before the stress echo, you should stop any physical activity and food intake in large quantities;
It is recommended to drink water and have a snack 2 hours before the examination.

Research types

In addition to the difference in the method of conducting, echocardiography is of three types:

One-dimensional in M-mode.
2D.
Doppler.

With echocardiography in M-mode (from the English. Motion), the sensor delivers waves along one selected axis. As a result, a heart image is displayed on the screen, obtained as a top view in real time. By changing the direction of the ultrasound, you can check the ventricles, the aorta (the vessel that comes out of the left ventricle and supplies oxygenated blood to all human organs) and the atrium. Due to the safety of the procedure, the study can be used to assess the functioning of the heart of both an adult and a newborn.

With the help of two-dimensional echocardiography, doctors obtain an image in two planes. During its implementation, an ultrasonic wave with a frequency of 30 times per 1 sec. are directed along an arc of 90 °, i.e. the scanning plane is perpendicular to the four-chamber position. By changing the position of the sensor, it is possible, thanks to the displayed high-quality picture, to analyze the movement of cardiac structures.

Conducted echocardiography with Doppler analysis allows you to determine the speed of blood flow and turbulence of blood flow. The data obtained can carry information about defects, filling of the left ventricle. The basis of Doppler measurements is the calculation of the change in the speed of an object in relation to the change in the frequency of the reflected signal. When sound collides with moving red blood cells, the frequency changes. The Doppler shift is the amount of such a change. Usually this shift is within the limits of sounds perceived by a person and can be reproduced by an echo machine in the form of an audible signal.

Video report from the clinic conducting echocardiography

EchoCG interpretation

After an ultrasound examination using an echocardiograph, the echocardiogram is deciphered. Only a cardiologist can conduct a complete and accurate analysis of it. An independent study of the indicators obtained and demonstrated in the conclusion can only give an approximate understanding of the overall picture. Depending on the purpose of the examination, the age and condition of the patient, the examination may show slightly different results.

In any conclusion after the echocardiography, there are a number of mandatory indicators, the numbers of which are a reflection of the structure and functions of the heart chambers: the parameters of the left and right ventricles, the interventricular septum, the atria, the condition of the heart valves and pericardium (thin and dense pericardial sac) are indicated. Using the data of the manual "Norms in Medicine" (Moscow, 2001), it is possible to derive the established norms.

Parameters of the left and right ventricles

The main indicators that determine the normal state of the heart muscle are data on the work of the ventricles and the partition between them.

1. The parameters of the left ventricle (LV) are represented by 8 main indicators:

LV myocardial mass (for men, the norm is 135-182 g, for women - 95-141 g);
LVMI (LV mass index): 71-94 g/m2 for men and 71-80 g/m2 for women;
EDV (LV volume at rest): in men 65-193 ml, in women 59-136 ml; KDR (LV size at rest) should be 4.6-5.7 cm and KSR (LV size during contraction) - 3.1-4.3 cm;
wall thickness outside the contractions of the heart during work: 1.1 cm. If there is a load on the heart, then an increase in the indicator indicates at which the thickness of the ventricular wall increases (a parameter of 1.6 cm and above indicates significant hypertrophy);
should not be less than 55-60%. The ejection fraction is a measure that indicates the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction. If the EF index is less than the established norm, then this may indicate heart failure. A similar phenomenon is a signal of inefficient blood pumping with the presence of stagnation;
: 60-100 ml. The parameter determines the volume of blood ejected per contraction.

2. Normal right ventricular measurements include a wall thickness of 5 mm, a size index of 0.75 to 1.25 cm/m2, and a resting ventricular size of 0.75 to 1.1 cm.

Norms of ultrasound for valves and pericardium

Deciphering the results obtained after the study of heart valves is considered simpler. Deviation from the norms may indicate two existing processes: either insufficiency. The first conclusion speaks of a decrease in the diameter of the valve opening, as a result of which blood pumping is difficult. Insufficiency is the opposite process: the valve leaflets that prevent the reverse movement of blood, for some reason, do not cope with the assigned functions. In this case, the blood sent to the adjacent chamber has a return, which, in turn, makes the work of the heart less efficient.

A common pathology of the pericardium includes such an inflammatory process as. With such a deviation, accumulation of fluid or the formation of junctions (adhesions) of the heart with the pericardial sac is possible. The norm of the liquid is from 10 to 30 ml, with an increase in the same indicator over 500, the normal functioning of the heart can be hampered by squeezing.

The main step to identifying cardiovascular diseases is an ultrasound of the heart. The estimated cost of such a procedure varies from 1400 rubles. up to 4000 rub. depending on the location of the medical center, available equipment, reputation and qualifications of specialists. Deciphering the results of EchoCG is within the power of qualified doctors who are able to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment based on the indicators. Attempts to independently understand all the figures of the conclusion can lead to undesirable and erroneous conclusions.

Video: echocardiography training film

Not every person knows what it is - ECHO KG, but sooner or later you have to deal with it. It is intuitively clear that this concept concerns medicine, but there is no reliable idea about it. Let's see what this research method is, how it is produced and deciphered.

ECHO KG - what is it?

Cardiac echocardiography is a method of examining the heart and large vessels. Deciphering the ECHO KG hints that the study is carried out using sound waves (echo). Indeed, this method is based on the use of ultrasound. The technology of operation is not new: a special crystal in the device deforms under the influence of voltage and emits high-frequency ultrasound. It penetrates the body, sound waves pass through the tissues, part of it is reflected from them and returned. Reverse waves are perceived by the sensor and converted into electrical energy, while forming a picture on the screen of the device.

Now you know what it is - ECHO KG. But there are still many questions left.

To whom is this procedure indicated?

First of all, it is prescribed to people who complain of pain or discomfort in the heart area. Also, a cardiologist or therapist, having heard a heart murmur in a patient, can prescribe him an examination using this method. A systematic examination is carried out to determine the effectiveness of the treatment, and if there are no results, then the method of treatment is changed, other drugs are prescribed, and after taking them, the heart and blood vessels are again examined using echocardiography.

The procedure is also shown:

Patients who suffer from high blood pressure.
People who have complaints of pain in the left side of the chest or behind it.
Patients with a family history of heart disease. The examination can be carried out for the purpose of prevention or if there are suspicions of a change in the valvular apparatus.
With fainting.
With swelling or shortness of breath.
With frequent dizziness.
After myocardial infarction.
With angina.
Patients with suspected aneurysm. ECHO KG in this case is performed in order to distinguish a pseudoaneurysm of the heart from a true aneurysm.
If cardiomyopathy is suspected.

It is especially important to undergo an ECHO CG after a myocardial infarction, since it is necessary to understand exactly how the heart will contract after the loss of certain muscle cells. In addition, depending on the localization, a heart attack can be complicated by mitral insufficiency, effusion into the pericardial cavity, and ruptures of the interventricular septum. All this can be seen with timely ECHO KG.

Of course, it is necessary to make an ECHO KG even for those people who do not have complaints about the work of the heart and pain in its area, if at the same time they intensively exhaust themselves physically, carry heavy loads. Even emotional stress greatly affects the work of the heart. As for children, an ECHO KG is performed for the child according to the same indications. This is especially important when diagnosing heart defects, changing its structure, and this occurs quite often with the growth of a child.

During pregnancy

Note that echocardiography is performed at any age. Even when the fetus is in the womb, this method of research can check the baby's heart. ECHO KG during pregnancy is a harmless, completely painless procedure for the fetus. It allows you to identify heart defects, which often become the causes of early childhood deaths. In addition, the procedure makes it possible to assess the flow of blood inside the heart and adjacent vessels, the structure of organs and, in case of deviation from the norm, take the necessary measures.

The study must be carried out by pregnant women who:

There are relatives in the family with heart disease.
Previous pregnancy terminated.
There is diabetes mellitus.
There are high titers of antibodies to rubella.
I had rubella during my pregnancy.

Also, ECHO KG of the fetus is performed if the pregnant woman took antiepileptic drugs or antibiotics in the first or second trimester. An echocardiogram is usually done at the 18th-22nd week of pregnancy, and it is indicated for a born child at any age in the presence of the above complaints.

Methods

There are different ways to study the heart:

One-dimensional or M-method. When it is carried out, the doctor on the monitor screen sees a record from different heart systems in the form of a graph. This method allows you to accurately determine the size of the heart, the contraction of the ventricles.
2D or B-method, in which a familiar image is displayed on the screen in shades of white and gray. The picture moves, on it you can observe the contraction of the heart muscle and the closing of the valves, as well as their mobility. In this case, it is possible to measure the thickness of the heart walls and determine the contractility of the ventricles. It is possible to see blood clots, aneurysms or tumors, if any.
Doppler echocardiography. It is carried out with the help of Doppler ultrasound of the heart. Previously, a special apparatus was used to carry out this method. Doppler analysis makes it possible to assess the speed and direction of blood in the chambers of the heart, as well as in the vessels that come from it.

When diagnosing heart defects, each of the methods is important, in particular, Doppler echocardiography is a more effective method for detecting pathologies. Blood should flow in one direction, and if it first goes in one direction, and then returns in waves, then this allows you to diagnose the insufficiency of one of the valves.

Also, the doctor can measure the speed of blood flow, and based on this, calculate the diameter of the opening of the vessel through which it flows. Similar ultrasound diagnostics also evaluates the degree of narrowing of the openings of the vessels, the volume of blood returning back.

In addition to the standard methods described above, there are also non-standard ones, when the study is carried out through the esophagus. An ECG with physical activity is also possible. These studies can only be carried out in specialized centers and only by experienced specialists. Now that you already know what it is - ECHO KG, these methods can be considered separately.

Echocardiography through the esophagus

This method is shown in the following cases:

If there is a suspicion of bacterial damage to the heart valves.
During a routine examination in the presence of an artificial valve (especially if the aortic valve). Also, the procedure is carried out with prosthetic valves.
With the transfer of a stroke, circulatory disorders of the brain, especially with a constant form of atrial fibrillation. This will exclude or confirm the embolic nature of these diseases.
Before cardioversion (this is a special impulse stimulation that allows you to normalize the heart rhythm in certain types of arrhythmias).
If there is a suspicion of an atrial septal defect.
When you need to study the work of the heart, its general condition, and the patient has rib ossification or other pathology of the chest wall, due to which ultrasonic waves do not reach the heart.

In certain cases, an echogram through the esophagus is prohibited:

If there are tumors, diverticula or spasms of the esophagus.
In the presence of dilated veins of the esophagus.
If the cervical vertebrae are unstable.
If the patient has severe osteochondrosis in the cervical region.
There is a pronounced gag reflex.
There is bleeding from the esophagus, intestines.
If the esophagus is affected by radiation therapy.

If at least one condition from the last list is met, then ECHO KG through the esophagus is prohibited.

Preparation and holding

Do not eat 6 hours before the procedure and do not drink 4 hours before.
Removable dentures, if any, must be removed before the examination.

If the patient has prepared, then he is allowed to conduct the study. The doctor irrigates the patient's oropharynx with lidocaine, which will reduce the gag reflex and discomfort. The patient lies on the left side, a mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth, after which a thick probe with an optical fiber is inserted into the esophagus - an endoscope. It is through it that sound waves are transmitted and received. The procedure takes about 15-20 minutes, echocardiography is filmed.

Stress echocardiography

The word "stress" in the name of the procedure means that the study will be carried out with the creation of an artificial load on the heart muscle. This will allow you to assess the pathologies that appear only under stress. After all, not all people at rest feel pain or interruptions in the work of the heart. Some complain about it only during physical exertion. In addition, not all devices are able to detect pathology in a calm state.

Stress ECHO CG is performed as follows: the patient is first subjected to a conventional ultrasound of the heart, after which sensors are applied that allow you to constantly record changes in the picture during exercise. To create a load, treadmills or a bicycle ergometer are usually used - the pedals of this simulator can be twisted even while lying down. The load during the study is increased, the pulse rate and blood pressure are measured. Of course, they preliminarily calculate what indicators for a person can be considered maximum: when conducting a stress ECHO CG, it is unacceptable to exceed them.

Who needs exercise echocardiography?

If the doctor suspects coronary heart disease, an ECG check is indicated to confirm or exclude this diagnosis. Also, such a study will determine how the narrowing of the coronary arteries affects the quality of life of the patient, and what kind of exercise tolerance a person has. The test is indicated to determine the effectiveness of drug treatment. If after a while it is found that the treatment is ineffective, then it is changed. After the cycle, exercise echocardiography may be ordered again. Also, such a study is prescribed to determine the risk of complications during operations on the lungs, heart, pulmonary artery or aorta.

If a person has acute myocardial infarction (up to a month), heart or kidney failure, breathing problems, thromboembolism in the vessels, then exercise echocardiography is contraindicated.

The norm of ECHO CG with exercise can be considered situations when in a patient all the walls of the left ventricle are evenly set in motion during exercise, the ejection fraction increases, the CSR decreases, and an increase in wall thickening is observed. If the ejection fraction decreases to 35%, the right ventricle increases in size, new zones with poor wall mobility appear, then this is a clear deviation from the norm.

Preparing for an ultrasound of the heart without load

Usually, no preparation is needed to perform an ultrasound examination. This procedure is indicated for everyone: adults, children, even pregnant women (it is even possible to conduct an ECHO KG of the fetus if necessary) and lactating. It is allowed to carry out the procedure before meals or a short time after. Even heart failure or bleeding disorders are not contraindications.

However, there is a nuance that should be taken into account for people with tachyarrhythmias and unstable (high) pressure. Before the study, the attending cardiologist should consult and determine whether there is a need to reduce the pulse or pressure, if these indicators are above normal. Often this is required for the correct interpretation of the results of the study.

Where can I do an ECHO KG and how much does it cost?

Echocardiography is a simple and accessible diagnostic method for everyone. It can be done at a public or private medical center. The procedure can be carried out free of charge or for a fee, but in any case, it must be carried out under the direction of a doctor.

Specific methods can only be carried out in a highly specialized center and only by experienced medical staff with appropriate qualifications. Such doctors should be able to help the patient if he suddenly becomes ill during the procedure. Of course, the prices for services in such institutions will differ.

The cost of a standard ECHO KG in a private hospital can be 1200-4000 rubles. The cost of a study conducted through the esophagus is higher - about 2000-6000 rubles. This is due to the need to attract additional equipment for the study.

To summarize, the average price for a service is 3,000 rubles, although even in Moscow, in some medical institutions, the price can be less than 2,000 rubles. In some hospitals, this can cost as much as 8,000 rubles.

Decryption

The doctor must understand the results of the study. A person without the appropriate education will not be able to understand the data. It can only be noted that the study protocol consists of an assessment of:

Myocardial contractility.
Degrees of wall hypertrophy.
The size of the cavities of the heart.
Degrees of reverse flow through valves.
Blood flow through large vessels.
Conditions and characteristics of valves.

The results obtained should be evaluated by a cardiologist. At the same time, the attending physician analyzes the data not only on the basis of comparison with normal numbers, but also on the basis of symptoms and other data. That is, it is impossible to make a diagnosis only on the basis of the results of ECHO ultrasound, since such a diagnosis may well be erroneous. And if any parameter does not fit into the norm, then it is necessary to determine the reason why it deviated from it.

Finally

Now you know where to do an ECHO KG and understand what this type of study is. It is a safe and painless procedure that does not require any preparation and can be performed at any age. Of course, preparation will be required if a study is carried out through the esophagus, but most often it is not prescribed. With the help of this procedure, doctors are able to establish complex diagnoses and prescribe appropriate treatment in time. So in modern medicine, echocardiography cannot be overestimated.

Echocardiography - what is this word? After all, many people know another term - an electrocardiogram. Today we will learn what echocardiography is, how it is performed, what are its features. We will also find out how to prepare for this procedure and what is its cost.

Description

Echocardiography, abbreviated as EchoCG, is a method based on ultrasound scanning of the chest cavity. Using this method, the diagnosis of various diseases of the "engine" of the body is carried out. This research method makes it possible to assess the overall dimensions of both the heart itself and its individual structures (ventricles, septa), the thickness of the myocardium of the ventricles, atria. Echocardiography can also determine heart mass, ejection fraction and other parameters.

Another name for this diagnostic method that people hear more often is ultrasound, that is,

Indications for appointment

A specialist can refer a heart echocardiogram in such cases:

If the cardiologist detects a heart murmur.

There are changes on the ECG.

If a person feels interruptions in the work of the heart.

The patient has a fever, which is not a sign of SARS, problems with the throat, nose, ears or kidneys.

According to the results of the radiograph, an increase in the size of the heart or a change in its shape, the location of large vessels is visible.

Also, this research method is carried out in the following situations:

Patients with high blood pressure.

Patients with a family history of heart disease.

When a person complains of pain in the left side of the chest.

With shortness of breath, swelling of the limbs.

With fainting.

In the event that a person is often disturbed by dizziness.

With angina.

After a heart attack etc.

Research in relation to pregnant women

A safe and versatile method for diagnosing heart problems is called echocardiography. What does it mean? Only one thing - it can be carried out in relation to all categories of the population, both adults and children. This study is even assigned to pregnant women. And it is done in order to detect cardiac pathology in the fetus and take the necessary measures in order to save the baby. Echocardiography is absolutely harmless for both mother and baby.

This method of research must be carried out by pregnant women in such situations:

If the woman in labor had heart defects in the family.

Previous pregnancy ended in miscarriage.

If a woman has diabetes.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother had been ill with rubella.

If a woman took antibiotics or antiepileptic drugs in the 1st or 2nd trimester.

Differences between ECG and echocardiography

The first abbreviation stands for electrocardiography.

EchoCG means nothing more than echocardiography. What is this procedure in and how does it differ from the first? In another way, it is also called an ultrasound of the heart. The differences are:

Similarities between Echocardiography and ECG

Both research methods can estimate the size of the chambers of the heart. For example, right or left atrial enlargement can be detected using these diagnostic methods.

Also, both methods can detect the abnormal location of the "engine" of the body.

Edema of the heart muscle, inflammation of the surrounding tissues can also be detected thanks to these diagnostic methods.

Advantages and disadvantages of each method

An ECG is an affordable research option. However, it can not always show a clear picture of the problem, unlike an ultrasound of the heart. What the echocardiogram will clearly show are structural anomalies. This research method ensures the accuracy of the image, this method is more reliable in determining the health of this internal organ. The advantage of ultrasound of the heart is that the specialist can visually observe his chambers. However, this diagnostic method has one drawback: it is performed only in private clinics, and the cost is several times more expensive than an ECG.

Limiting parameters of echocardiography of the heart

After an ultrasound of this organ is done, the specialist who conducted the study will definitely refer the person to a cardiologist to decipher the results. In order not to worry once again, not to wind yourself up, in the table below you can find the marginally permissible values:

These are the main values that the doctor pays attention to when viewing an ultrasound scan.

Echocardiography: interpretation of the results

Correctly read, understand and explain to the patient the results of this diagnostic method can only be a cardiologist. An independent study of the main parameters of cardiac parameters does not give a person complete information on assessing the state of his health. But for his reassurance, the patient can familiarize himself with those described above. Only an experienced doctor in the field of cardiology can correctly decipher the result of the device’s operation, as well as answer the patient’s questions of interest.

It also happens that some indicators deviate from the norm and are recorded in the examination protocol under other items. This suggests that the quality of the device is not very good. If the medical institution uses modern equipment, then the echocardiography doctor will receive more accurate results, on the basis of which the patient will be diagnosed and treated.

What diseases can be diagnosed with echocardiography?

With this method, many problems can be identified. It:

Heart failure.

Rheumatism.

Ischemic disease.

Tumor of the heart.

Vegetovascular dystonia.

Myocarditis.

Myocardial infarction.

arterial hypertension.

Hypotension.

Congenital or acquired heart defects.

Thrombosis.

Tumor of the heart.

Methods for conducting ultrasound

Echocardiography diagnostic methods has the following:

Transthoracic technique.

Transesophageal ultrasound.

The first diagnostic method is the most common, as it has been used for a long time. The transthoracic technique for detecting heart problems is conducted through the chest using a probe that is pressed against the patient's body in the area of the heart. The patient during the procedure is on the couch in the supine position or on the back.

Transesophageal echocardiography - what is this research method and how is it performed? This is also a method of ultrasound diagnosis of the heart. However, it is carried out not from the surface of the chest, as in the transthoracic technique, but from the esophagus. The sensor is determined exactly there, thanks to this method, the doctor can get as close as possible to the heart, and also see those parts of it that are not visible with a standard ultrasound.

The cost of the procedure

Not all public clinics and hospitals can boast that they can offer such a heart examination method as echocardiography. Prices for this procedure in private clinics range from 2200-3000 rubles. It all depends on the prestige of the hospital, the qualifications of the doctor, the availability of modern equipment, the location of the medical institution providing paid services. In Moscow, for example, echocardiography will be more expensive than in Voronezh.

If we compare the price of an ultrasound and an ECG, then in the latter case, a person will have to pay up to 700 rubles. Moreover, often an electrocardiogram is performed free of charge in public hospitals.

Preparing for a Transesophageal Exam

An echocardiogram is done on an outpatient basis. A few hours before the procedure, the patient should refrain from water and food. Also, a person should not drink coffee or consume other products containing caffeine the day before the ultrasound (chocolate, strong tea). It is also necessary to stop taking drugs that contain a component such as nitroglycerin. Even before the procedure, the specialist should ask if the patient has dentures. Before echocardiography, they must be removed.

Conducting a transesophageal ultrasound of the heart

Preparation and conduct of transthoracic ultrasound

In this case, no planned actions need to be carried out. The procedure is performed in this order:

1. The patient undresses to the waist, lies down on the couch.

2. On the left side of the chest, the specialist applies a special gel. This is necessary so that ultrasonic waves are better transmitted.

3. Then the health worker places the sensor on the chest area and notes all the data.

4. After the procedure, the specialist processes all the information received and after a few minutes already gives a written opinion to the patient. On the document, a person can read about the approximate diagnosis made by the doctor. But this does not mean that this can be put an end to. With the result of ultrasound, the patient must definitely go for a consultation with a cardiologist.

Contraindications

In general, echocardiography of the heart is a completely harmless procedure. But due to some anatomical features of patients, there may be problems associated with insufficient penetration of ultrasound by the transesophageal method. This can happen, for example, with a deformity of the chest, the presence of a pronounced hairline in men, obesity, large breasts in women.

In the following situations, an ultrasound of the heart is unacceptable:

If a person has a stomach ulcer or acute gastritis.

The patient has a tumor of any severity.

In this case, transesophageal ultrasound of the heart is not performed. Only transthoracic echocardiography is allowed.

Conclusion

From the article, you realized that a synonym for the concept of echocardiography is ultrasound. Both words refer to the same process. Echocardiography of the heart is an accurate research method that allows you to identify various diseases of this organ, even in the initial stages. Transthoracic ultrasound can be performed in absolutely all patients. While transesophageal echocardiography is used infrequently, since in this case the camera with the endoscope is inserted through the esophagus.

Examination and assessment of the state of the heart is carried out by an echocardiogram, which is the most reliable diagnosis among all existing ones. Echo of the heart (KG) or ultrasound (CS), which is essentially the same, determines the three main components on the basis of which the diagnosis is established - echo, cardio and graphics.

ATTENTION!

In this review, the reader will learn not only what echography is, but will also receive information about the interpretation, methods of the procedure, and how to prepare.

In the process of familiarization, clarifying questions may arise - please contact the portal specialists directly. Online, you will receive competent answers 24 hours a day.

An echocardiogram provides an opportunity to get a visual graph of the state of the heart muscle and vascular system. This technique can be carried out using ultrasonic waves (ultrasound/CS) or computed tomography (CT).

Performing a heart echo (CG) allows you to quickly assess:

the activity of the muscles of the body;
the general condition of the four chambers and the valve system;
determine the size of the cavities of the heart;
study the pressure in the body;
measure the density of the walls;
to study the rate of blood supply.

Conducting a study by a qualified specialist makes it possible to detect blood clots, defects, cycle dysfunction and changes in the valve apparatus.

Ultrasound (CS) is used both to examine a healthy organ, and when a disease is affected. An echocardiogram is also done to measure pressure in the pulmonary artery.

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ECG feature

The CT and ECG method is the main one in detecting diseases in the cardiovascular system. This is due to a number of reasons:

receiving data online;
100% security;
lack of discomfort and even more pain;
The information received is 98% reliable.

Conducting an echocardiogram, as a research method, does not entail harmful factors and does not injure the body. There are also no radiation or side effects. The procedure is done on average from 10 to 40 minutes. The duration of the examination depends on the symptomatic picture and goals.

Ultrasound (CS) evaluates the diastole and systole of the organ, which are the main function of the heart. This is done by obtaining indicators, which are further deciphered by specialists. Based on the received data, the result is given.

Doctors on the decoding of the ECG can see one or more violations. That is why the study of the heart by CT or echocardiography is included in the annual medical examination, because. this diagnosis is able to detect diseases at an early stage of development. Therefore, the treatment will be timely and the result effective.

Who is prescribed an ultrasound of the heart

Patients who are scheduled for cardiac echo (CH) most often experience the following symptoms:

during listening, noises were found in the organ or the rhythm was disturbed;
pain syndrome in the chest cavity;
symptoms of heart failure - liver enlargement, swelling of the lower extremities, etc .;
chronic form of ischemia and myocardial infarction;
in the normal daily routine, a person quickly gets tired, shortness of breath appears, a feeling of lack of air;
pale skin;
lips, auricles and legs of a blue tint.

Ultrasound (CS) is most often done for those patients who have suffered an injury to the chest cavity, surgical intervention on the heart.

Separately, it should be emphasized those people who experience private migraines. This is due to the fact that the cause of pain can be microscopic blood clots that move from one chamber to another due to violations of the integrity of the septum of the organ.

Heart defects, prostheses instead of valves also require a periodic echocardiogram, which is carried out according to a schedule drawn up by the attending physician. ECG is prescribed for hypertension, atherosclerosis, drug treatment for oncological tumors. CT scans are done for children who have a weak level of weight gain.

Carrying out CT and CG

This research process is relatively simple and does not require specific preparation from the patient. To obtain a detailed analysis in the form of a visualized image, the patient lies on his left side. This position allows you to get maximum access to the sternum, respectively, the resulting picture on the monitor will be detailed and clear.

An echocardiogram (ECG) is performed by a transducer that emits a beam of ultrasound and captures the desired area of the heart. Due to the special shape of this beam, it can be moved towards the intercostal septum. This feature is important because the ribs interfere with the penetration of the beam, and, therefore, reduces the information content of ultrasound (CS).

EchoCG is performed in a certain sequence:

inspection and evaluation of the aorta;
inspection of departments of the body;
assessment of the state of the myocardium and its contractile function.

There are several positions for performing an ultrasound. Each is used to accurately diagnose a specific area of the heart. Of course, without having the necessary skills, the specialist will not be able to fully conduct EchoCG or CT. Therefore, qualified doctors sum up immediately after the examination.

Deciphering an echocardiogram

At the end of CT or Echo KG, the specialist deciphers the indicators. If a deviation from the norm is found, a consultation on the subject of therapy should be obtained.

Deciphering the echocardiogram can be carried out by the patient himself, if he has honey. education. The doctor hands over the original or a copy of the protocol, and the person can compare them with the normal state of the heart.

Norms of a healthy organ:

Fractional Ejection: 55% and 60% range.
Stroke volume: 60 ml to 100 ml.
Aorta size: 2.1 cm - 4.1 cm.
Diastole thickness: from 0.75 cm to 1.1 cm.
The atrium of the left chamber has a size: from 1.9 cm to 4 cm; the right one is normal if the size is from 2.7 cm to 4.5 cm.

Additional norms and indicators of a healthy organ can be viewed:

Due to the absence of side effects and contraindications, CT is prescribed for any patient. Thus, one or more diseases, inflammatory processes and vascular dysfunctions can be detected. Additional diagnostics provide an analysis of blood circulation and valvular apparatus.

And some secrets...

Do you often experience discomfort in the area of the heart (stabbing or squeezing pain, burning sensation)?
You may suddenly feel weak and tired...
The pressure keeps dropping...
There is nothing to say about shortness of breath after the slightest physical exertion ...
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The human heart needs special attention, as it is an organon that supplies all the cells of our body with the most necessary. When the first failures occur in his work, we must contact a cardiologist to help him figure out the causes of the violation.

First of all, the doctor will prescribe the necessary examination. The most popular and informative diagnostic method is the echo of the heart.

Based on the results of the examination, the specialist will give you general recommendations and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. But in order not to wait for the next visit to your doctor to decipher the tests and to navigate the indicators yourself at least a little, you just need to read this article. In it, you will learn the main points of the echo procedure and what needs to be done before it is carried out.

What is the echo of the heart

echo of the heart

Not infrequently, in a conversation between doctors or with patients, one can hear an incomprehensible phrase - an echo of the heart. What is this "echo"? Undoubtedly, this expression can be attributed to medical jargon, and therefore it is not clear.

In our country, the term ultrasound examination of the heart or ultrasound of the heart is more widely used, while abroad it is called sonography or echography, hence the echo of the heart is taken. Although, it must be said that the term "echo" more accurately conveys the essence of the method - the reflection of ultrasound waves from tissues with different densities and the capture of these reflected waves by a special sensor.

Heart echo has become widely used in the practice of cardiologists, since this method has a huge number of advantages and provides a lot of additional information about the state of the heart, which is sometimes crucial in making a diagnosis.

What gives the echo of the heart to the doctor?

Firstly, the echo of the heart allows you to assess the condition of the heart valves: it reveals prolapses (deflections), stenoses (narrowing) and insufficiency.
Secondly, echography provides information about the structure of the heart: the thickness of its walls and the presence of defects in them (with defects); reveals signs of myocardial infarction and post-infarction aneurysms, detects the expansion of the cavities of the heart and large vessels.
Thirdly, the echo of the heart allows you to determine the pumping function of the heart - this is the ejection fraction, which is reduced in patients with heart failure - less than 55%, in more severe cases even below 40%.

If the echo of the heart is supplemented with dopplerography, a special research method that is carried out in parallel, then it is possible to measure the pressure in the large vessels of the heart (aorta, pulmonary artery) and obtain reliable information about the failure of the valvular apparatus.

Failure of the valvular apparatus can manifest itself in the form of regurgitation (reverse flow of blood through the valve) or vice versa - an increase in pressure gradient (resistance to blood flow across the valve resulting from narrowing of its opening).

It will also be useful for the patient to know what the echo of the heart “cannot show”. Keep in mind that this test will not reveal the cause of chest pain except in rare cases. The echo of the heart will not allow you to understand the state of the vessels that feed the heart, including the presence of plaques in them.

To diagnose arrhythmia, various heart blocks, echography will also not help. Please note that although an ultrasound examination is absolutely safe, has no contraindications and can be carried out for you at your request, it is not a panacea.

It is naive to think that having received the conclusion of the echo of the heart, you yourself will be able to understand your illness and even take appropriate measures for its treatment. Therefore, if you have heart problems, it is better to immediately contact a specialist and he will already prescribe the necessary amount of research for you and evaluate the results.

This will help avoid unnecessary expenses, save time and allow you to establish a diagnosis, if any, and receive appropriate recommendations. Echocardiography can simply be called an ultrasound of the heart, this method belongs to the category of ultrasound examinations of the cardiac system. Thanks to it, you can evaluate the following indicators in real time:

organ muscle functionality;
valve status;
determine the size of the cardiac cavities and its walls;
indicate the direction and speed of intracardiac blood flow.

In addition, when answering the question of a heart echo, what is it, it is worth noting that this examination method allows you to measure the pressure in the pulmonary artery. It also determines the contractile activity of the heart.

Transthoracic echocardiography is especially relevant today, since this method is considered quite simple. This diagnostic method is carried out through the surface of the body, but there is also a transesophageal method for conducting an ECHO of the heart.

Particularly accurate results can be obtained during the passage of load tests, since it is in the state when the heart muscle is under load that latent disorders can appear. This method of examining patients is often called stress-ECHO.

ECHO of the heart, the price is quite affordable, so each person can afford to undergo this diagnosis, not only in case of a pathology, but for preventive purposes.

Standard transthoracic ultrasound of the heart is the most common type of study. It is performed using a sensor installed on the chest area and includes the following stages of research:

I - using parasternal access, the left ventricular chamber, right ventricle, left atrium, aorta, interventricular septum, aortic valve, mitral valve and posterior wall of the left ventricle are examined;
II - using pairs of asternal access, the leaflets of the mitral and aortic valves, the valve and trunk of the pulmonary artery, the outflow tract of the right ventricle, the left ventricle, papillary muscles are examined;
III - in the apical approach in the four-chamber position, the interventricular and interatrial septa, ventricles, atrioventricular valve and atria are examined, in the five-chamber position - the ascending aorta and the aortic valve, in the two-chamber position - the mitral valve, left ventricle and atrium.

Doppler Echo-KG allows you to evaluate the movement of blood in the coronary vessels and the heart. During its execution, the doctor may:

measure the speed and determine the direction of blood movement;
evaluate the functioning of the heart valves;
hear the sound of blood moving through the vessels and the sound of a beating heart.

Contrast echocardiography is performed after a radiopaque solution is injected into the bloodstream, which allows the doctor to more clearly visualize the inside of the heart.

Stress Echo-KG is performed using standard ultrasound and Doppler studies and, through the use of physical or pharmacological stress, allows you to identify areas of possible coronary artery stenosis.

Transesophageal echocardiography is performed by inserting a transducer through the esophagus or throat. This type of access allows the specialist to obtain ultra-accurate images in a moving mode. The following situations may be the reason for the appointment of this type of ultrasound diagnostics:

risk of aortic aneurysm dissection;
suspected valve ring abscess, aortic root, or paraprosthetic fistula;
the need to examine the state of the mitral valve before or after the upcoming surgical interventions;
the risk of developing left atrial thrombosis;
signs of dysfunction of the implanted valve.

This type of study can be carried out after additional sedation of the patient.

In such cases, transesophageal echocardiography is used, the second name of which is “transesophageal” (from Latin “oesophagus” - esophagus). It, like echocardiography through the chest, can be three-dimensional. With such a study, the sensor is inserted through the esophagus, which is adjacent directly to the left atrium, which makes it possible to better view the small structures of the heart.

Such a study is contraindicated in the presence of diseases of the patient's esophagus (varicose veins of the esophagus, bleeding, inflammation, etc.)

Stress Echo KG

In order to study the work of the human heart with physical activity during echocardiography, according to indications, the following is carried out:

A similar load in certain doses;
With the help of pharmacological drugs cause increased work of the heart.

At the same time, the changes that occur with the heart muscle during stress tests are examined. The absence of ischemia often means a low percentage of the risk of various cardiovascular complications. Since such a procedure may have the characteristics of a biased assessment, echo programs are used that simultaneously display images on a monitor recorded during various stages of the examination.

This visual demonstration of the work of the heart at rest and at maximum load allows you to compare these indicators. A similar research method is stress echocardiography, which allows you to detect hidden disorders in the work of the heart, imperceptible at rest.

Usually the whole procedure takes about 45 minutes, while the load level is selected for each patient separately, depending on the age category and state of health. As preparation for the stress echocardiography, the following actions of the patient can be called:

Clothing should be loose, not restricting movement;
3 hours before the stress echo, you should stop any physical activity and food intake in large quantities;
It is recommended to drink water and have a snack 2 hours before the examination.

Symptoms that indicate the need for an ECHO

The risk of developing dangerous pathologies is reduced if an ECHO of the heart is performed when the first symptoms of diseases appear. As an indirect reason to undergo a diagnosis, the following symptoms should be regarded:

systemic cardiac arrhythmias;
noises identified when listening to a therapist or cardiologist;
discomfort in the chest in the region of the heart;
feeling short of breath, shortness of breath; fainting;
fatigue with low physical exertion;
cyanosis or periodic acquisition of skin integuments of a white shade;
frequent swelling of the legs, an increase in the size of the liver, other symptoms of heart failure.

Without obvious symptoms of heart disease, echocardiographic diagnostics is prescribed for pregnant women at risk, athletes experiencing increased physical exertion, divers, and people who often suffer from pulmonary diseases.

Ultrasound of the heart is recommended to be done regularly for adolescents and adults who are actively involved in sports (especially extreme sports, diving, weightlifting). Echocardiography is also included in the list of diagnostic studies at scheduled examinations:

in the 1st month of life for early diagnosis of congenital heart defects,
at 6-7 years old before entering school,
14 years old (puberty)
before the start of sports activities,
before entering cadet, military schools, institutes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,
every 5 years for men and women after the age of 40.

There are practically no contraindications to echocardiography. ECHO KG of the heart is performed by a surface sensor - transthoracically. The position of the patient during the study - lying on his back or on his left side. Special preparation before diagnosis is not required.

It is advisable to have previous ECG and EchoCG results with you. Ultrasound of the heart makes it possible to diagnose heart diseases at an early stage, even before the first symptoms of the disease appear.

Indications for echocardiography:

IHD (ischemic heart disease),
myocardial infarction,
Arterial hypertension and arterial hypotension,
Congenital and acquired malformations of the heart and blood vessels,
chronic heart failure,
Rhythm and conduction disorders
Rheumatism,
Myocarditis, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy,
Control of medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the heart and valves.

In general, echocardiography makes it possible to diagnose diseases at the earliest stages, when timely qualified medical care can avoid serious consequences and increase the chances of a successful recovery.

In addition, ECHO is a mandatory procedure for people who have survived a myocardial infarction and received a chest injury. Moreover, this method of examination is used to monitor patients who have undergone heart surgery, as well as those who are at risk of developing an aortic aneurysm.

Echocardiography may be prescribed for patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, as well as for people who have undergone cancer treatment using potent antibiotics.

It is very important that ECHO of the heart is performed in a specialized medical facility and by a qualified specialist. This is due to the fact that without the skills to perform this diagnosis and decipher its results is impossible.

You really need to prepare for an ultrasound scan. Of course, in most sources you will find information that ultrasound of the heart can be done several times a day without prior preparation, but this is not so.

Do not physically exert yourself, do not go to the gym, do not lift weights, do not walk to the 10th floor, etc.;
Do not take sedatives;
Do not drink coffee;
Limit food intake, that is, do not overeat;
Do not be nervous.

The ultrasound procedure is not painful. Its duration is approximately 20 minutes. The patient should take a supine position, before that completely undress to the waist. A special gel will be applied to the chest, and the study is carried out by a sensor that displays all the data on the size of the heart, its work, blood vessels and blood flow in general.

ECHO-ECG allows you to evaluate the following parameters:

myocardial thickness.
The size of the chambers of the heart - the atria and ventricles.
The rate at which blood fills the atria and ventricles.
Myocardial contractility.
condition of the heart valves.
The presence or absence of damage to the interventricular septum, fluid in the pleural cavity.

A variation of this method - Doppler echocardiography is based on the Doppler effect - a change in the frequency of the reflected signal from a moving object. Based on this method, one can judge the state of blood circulation in the aorta and in large vessels. During 2D echocardiography, a three-dimensional image of the heart can be obtained on the screen.

Ultrasound of the child's heart (standard pediatric echocardiography) is the most modern research method in cardiology. During the ECHO CG of the child, the doctor observes the work of the heart in real time, can examine all the structures of the child's heart in the process.

It is ultrasound of the heart that confirms or excludes the presence of many diseases of the cardiovascular system. It is often very important not to miss precious time for treatment so that a small pathology does not have time to develop into a serious illness.

Echocardiography performed promptly and competently allows you to detect the problem in time and keep your baby healthy. Indications for ultrasound of the heart of a child:

If the pediatrician, upon examination, after listening to your baby's heart, detects murmurs, then he will refer you to echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart).
If you yourself feel a trembling over the area of the child's heart, contact a specialist.
If a child complains of aching, pulling, stabbing pains in the region of the heart, it is better to play it safe and do an echocardiography.
If the baby does not suckle well, the baby may need an echocardiogram (here you must first rule out problems with improper attachment to the breast - consult a pediatrician about this). You should also pay attention to the color of the skin around the child's mouth. Usually, with heart problems, when crying and sucking in infants, a blue nasolabial triangle is observed. This is a fairly common symptom.
If from time to time you feel that the child’s hands and feet become cool for no apparent reason, this is a reason to be wary.
If the child loses consciousness (even during intense physical exertion), echocardiography should be done and the possibility of cardiovascular disease should be ruled out.
Fatigue, excessive sweating, insufficient weight gain for age - all of these things can be caused by heart problems and echocardiography is prescribed.
Frequent pneumonia in a child can also occur due to heart disease.
If your family has relatives with severe cardiac pathologies, an ECHO KG should be done to the child at least once a year in order to stop the development of hereditary diseases in time, if they occur.
According to the norms adopted in our country, every child at the age of 1 year should, as part of a planned medical examination, receive a consultation with a cardiologist, having done an ECHO KG and an ECG (electrocardiogram) before that.

In the same way as you did during pregnancy, a part of the body (chest) will be covered with gel and a sensor will be driven over it. During the ECHO KG procedure, the child can even move, fidget, talk - this will not affect the results of the examination.

Preliminary preparation for ultrasound of the heart is not needed. An echocardiogram will take approximately 15 minutes. Echocardiogram results require interpretation by a qualified physician. It is advisable to show the cardiologist, along with the results of an ultrasound of the heart, also a fresh blood test, urine test, and the results of the cardiogram.

The procedure is painless! ECHO KG is done both for serious indications, as prescribed by a doctor, and for reinsurance already in the first hours and days of a baby's life. Experts believe that the method of echocardiography is completely safe, since, unlike x-rays, it does not use radiation, but mechanical wave vibrations.

The procedure for ultrasound of the heart does not require special preparation and can be performed, if necessary, several times a day. The only thing to do if the child already understands what is happening to him is to calm him down, set him up in a positive way. And in no case should you discuss his illnesses and their possible consequences with the doctor!

Echo helps to diagnose in children:

Congenital heart defects, such as: patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, mitral valve defects, aortic valve defects and others.

Congenital heart defects are likely to be detected even in the prenatal period, during an ultrasound scan of a pregnant woman.

Acquired heart defects.
Cause of heart murmurs.
Ischemic heart disease.
Enlargement of the heart chambers.
Hyper- and hypotraphy of the heart.
Changes in the walls of the myocardium and disturbances in their work.
Blood clots and other neoplasms and other pathologies.

How is an ultrasound of the heart performed?

No special preparation is required for a standard Echo-KG. The patient should definitely take the conclusions of previous studies with him: this way the doctor will be able to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and the dynamics of the disease.

Before performing an Echo-KG, the patient should calm down, undress to the waist and take a supine position. During the examination, the doctor asks to turn on the left side. Also, when examining patients with large breasts, the specialist may ask the woman to lift her breasts.

As with ultrasound diagnostics of other organs, a special gel is applied to the skin before the examination, which ensures high-quality transmission of the pulse from the sensor to the tissues under study and vice versa. As the main approaches for standard ultrasound scanning of the heart with a sensor, various points of the axes of the heart on the chest are used:

parasternal - in the zone of 3-4 intercostal spaces;
suprasternal - in the region of the jugular fossa (above the sternum);
apical - in the area of the apical impulse;
subcostal - in the region of the xiphoid process.

When conducting an ultrasound scan, the doctor follows a certain sequence:

Visualizes the valvular apparatus of the heart.
Scans the partitions between the ventricles and atria, tracing their integrity in polyprojection and polyposition scanning, analyzes the type of movement (akinesis, normokinesis, dyskenesia or hypokinesis).
Assesses the relative position of the septum between the ventricles and valves.
Analyzes the characteristic features of the movement of the valve leaflets.
Visualizes the dimensions of the cavities of the heart and the thickness of their walls.
Determines the presence of dilatation of the chambers and the severity of hypertrophy of the heart muscle.
Performs Doppler and 2D echocardiography to rule out abnormal heart bypass, valvular regurgitation, and stenosis.

When prescribing stress-Echo-KG, the doctor must take into account the patient's state of health, since he will need to exercise using physical or pharmacological methods. The study itself is carried out only under the supervision of an experienced specialist:

First, a standard Echo-KG is performed.
Special sensors are put on the patient's body, which will record changes during physical or pharmacological stress.
The intensity of the physical or pharmacological load is determined individually (depending on the patient's pulse and blood pressure).

For tests with the help of physical activity, various simulators can be used (bicycle ergometry or treadmill in a sitting or lying position), for pharmacological - intravenous administration of Dipyridamole (or Adenosine) and Dobutamine.

Dipyridamole or Adenosine cause heart muscle steal and dilatation of the arteries, and Dobutamine is used to increase myocardial oxygen demand.

When used as an exercise stress test, a sensor study is performed after exercise is completed, and when using pharmacological tests, a heart scan can be performed directly during drug administration.

When performing transesophageal echocardiography, transesophageal access is used. To prepare for the procedure of transesophageal ultrasound of the heart, the patient should refrain from eating and drinking 4-5 hours before the study.

The study is carried out in the following sequence:

Before the introduction of the endoscope to reduce pain and discomfort, the patient is irrigated with an anesthetic solution of the oropharynx.
The patient is placed on the left side and an endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus.
Next, the doctor visualizes the structures of the heart using ultrasound waves that are received and received through the endoscope.

The duration of a standard ultrasound of the heart takes no more than an hour, transesophageal - about 20 minutes. After that, the specialist fills out a protocol or study form, in which he indicates the results and makes a conclusion about the exact or proposed diagnosis.

The Echo-KG conclusion is given to the patient in paper or digital form. The final interpretation of the study data is performed by a cardiologist.

To begin with, here are a few numbers that are sure to be found in every conclusion of Doppler echocardiography. They reflect various parameters of the structure and function of individual chambers of the heart. If you are a pedant and take a responsible approach to decrypting your data, pay maximum attention to this section.

Perhaps, here you will find the most detailed information, in comparison with other Internet sources intended for a wide range of readers. In different sources, the data may vary slightly; here are the figures based on the materials of the manual "Norms in Medicine" (Moscow, 2001).

Left ventricular parameters:

The mass of the myocardium of the left ventricle: men - 135-182 g, women - 95-141 g.
The mass index of the left ventricular myocardium (in the form is often referred to as LVMI): men 71-94 g / m2, women 71-89 g / m2.

End-diastolic volume (EDV) of the left ventricle (the volume of the ventricle that it has at rest): men - 112 ± 27 (65-193) ml, women 89 ± 20 (59-136) ml

End-diastolic size (EDD) of the left ventricle (the size of the ventricle in centimeters, which it has at rest): 4.6 - 5.7 cm
The end systolic size (SSR) of the left ventricle (the size of the ventricle that it has during contraction): 3.1 - 4.3 cm
Wall thickness in diastole (outside the contractions of the heart): 1.1 cm

With hypertrophy - an increase in the thickness of the wall of the ventricle, due to too much load on the heart - this indicator increases.

The numbers 1.2 - 1.4 cm indicate slight hypertrophy, 1.4-1.6 - medium, 1.6-2.0 - significant, and a value of more than 2 cm indicates high hypertrophy.

Ejection fraction (EF): 55-60%.

At rest, the ventricles fill with blood, which is not completely ejected from them during contractions (systole).

The ejection fraction shows how much blood, relative to its total amount, is ejected by the heart with each contraction, normally it is a little more than half.

With a decrease in the EF, they speak of heart failure, which means that the organ does not pump blood efficiently, and it can stagnate.

Stroke volume (the amount of blood that is ejected by the left ventricle in one contraction): 60-100 ml.

Right ventricular parameters:

Wall thickness: 5 ml
Size index 0.75-1.25 cm/m2
Diastolic size (size at rest) 0.95-2.05 cm

Parameters of the interventricular septum:

Thickness at rest (diastolic thickness): 0.75-1.1 cm
Excursion (moving from side to side during heart contractions): 0.5-0.95 cm. An increase in this indicator is observed, for example, with some heart defects.

Right atrium parameters:

For this chamber of the heart, only the value of the EDV is determined - the volume at rest. A value of less than 20 ml indicates a decrease in EDV, an indicator of more than 100 ml indicates its increase, and an EDV of more than 300 ml occurs with a very significant increase in the right atrium.

Parameters of the left atrium:

Size: 1.85-3.3 cm
Size index: 1.45 - 2.9 cm/m2.
Most likely, even a very detailed study of the parameters of the heart chambers will not give you particularly clear answers to the question about your state of health.

You can simply compare your performance with the optimal ones and, on this basis, draw preliminary conclusions about whether everything is generally normal for you. For more information, contact a specialist; For a broader coverage of it, the volume of this article is too small.

As for deciphering the results of the examination of the valves, it should present an easier task. It will be enough for you to look at the general conclusion about their condition. There are only two main, most frequent pathological processes: these are stenosis and valve insufficiency.

The term "stenosis" refers to the narrowing of the valve opening, in which the upper chamber of the heart hardly pumps blood through it and may undergo hypertrophy, which we discussed in the previous section.
Insufficiency is the opposite state.

If the valve leaflets, which normally prevent the backflow of blood, for some reason cease to perform their functions, the blood that has passed from one chamber of the heart to another partially returns back, reducing the efficiency of the organ.

Depending on the severity of the violations, stenosis and insufficiency can be 1,2 or 3 degrees. The higher the degree, the more serious the pathology.

Sometimes in the conclusion of an ultrasound of the heart you can find such a definition as "relative insufficiency". In this condition, the valve itself remains normal, and blood flow disorders occur due to the fact that pathological changes occur in adjacent chambers of the heart.

The pericardium, or pericardial sac, is the "bag" that surrounds the outside of the heart. It fuses with the organ in the region of the vascular discharge, in its upper part, and between it and the heart itself there is a slit-like cavity.
The most common pathology of the pericardium is an inflammatory process, or pericarditis.

In pericarditis, adhesions can form between the pericardial sac and the heart and fluid can accumulate. Normally, its 10-30 ml, 100 ml indicates a small accumulation, and over 500 - a significant accumulation of fluid, which can lead to difficulty in the full functioning of the heart and its compression.

To master the specialty of a cardiologist, a person must first study at a university for 6 years, and then study cardiology separately for at least a year. A qualified doctor has all the necessary knowledge, thanks to which he can not only easily decipher the conclusion to an ultrasound of the heart, but also make a diagnosis based on it and prescribe treatment.

For this reason, the interpretation of the results of such a complex study as ECHO-cardiography should be provided to a specialized specialist, and not try to do it on your own, long and unsuccessfully “poking around” in the numbers and trying to understand what these or those indicators mean.

This will save you a lot of time and nerves, since you will not have to worry about your probably disappointing and, even more likely, wrong conclusions about your health.

What affects the quality of research

There are three main factors that interfere with obtaining quality results when performing cardiac ultrasound.

Anatomical features of the patient.

Not every patient can have an echocardiographic study in the proper volume. Access with transthoracic echo (through the chest) is limited by the intercostal spaces, the presence of adipose tissue, the lungs, the condition of adjacent tissues, and the position of the heart in the chest.

Thus, the condition of all these structures can form serious obstacles to the study: for example, chest deformity, obesity, and emphysema.

The solution to this problem exists. This is an MRI of the heart or a transesophageal echo. It all depends on the purpose of the study.

Operator experience.

The experience of the doctor who performs the study is much more important than the class of equipment on which he works.

Experience can be divided into 2 categories:

Technical skills, that is, how correctly a specialist can bring the heart in standard positions for measurements and how correctly he will follow the measurement rules.
Experience of the operator as a clinician. Ideally, the study was conducted by a cardiologist. A specialist in the treatment of heart disease will purposefully pay more attention to precisely those aspects that directly affect the course of the disease.

Hardware class.

Everything is clear here. The higher the class, the more accurately and extensively the study is performed. The presence of some diseases can only be diagnosed with a good resolution of the ultrasound machine.

An example is myocardial non-compactness - one of the types of cardiomyopathy. The presence of tissue Doppler simplifies and makes more reliable the diagnosis of myocardial dysfunction, constrictive pericarditis and the work of the left atrial appendage.

The strain function allows you to more accurately assess the segmental contractile activity of the myocardium. Despite the fact that the class of the device provides additional opportunities in diagnostics, we must not forget that a person ultimately interprets the data received.

There are no absolute contraindications for echocardiography. The study may be difficult in the following categories of patients:

Chronic smokers, persons suffering from bronchial asthma / chronic bronchitis and some other diseases of the respiratory system (they may suffocate while lying down, an asthma attack);
Women with a significant size of the mammary glands and men with pronounced hair growth of the anterior chest wall;
Persons with significant deformities of the chest (costal hump, etc.);
Persons with inflammatory diseases of the skin of the anterior chest;
Persons suffering from mental illness, increased gag reflex, motor agitation.

Echocardiography (EchoCG) is indicated for coronary heart disease, pain of an unknown nature in the region of the heart, congenital or acquired heart defects. The reason for its implementation may be a change in the electrocardiogram, heart murmurs, a violation of its rhythm, hypertension, the presence of signs of heart failure.

It is especially important to carry out echocardiography for diagnostic purposes in childhood, since in the process of intensive growth and development, the child may experience various complaints. It is recommended once a year for people over 50 years of age, as well as registered with a cardiologist for cardiovascular diseases.

Depending on the specific pathology identified during the examination, repeated ecocardioscopy is prescribed after 3 months or after 1 year, or as prescribed by the attending physician.

It is considered advisable to conduct an ultrasound of the heart in the first year of a child's life, since this study allows to identify most congenital malformations, so that they can be corrected in a timely manner and prevent serious consequences.

If a child has an open oval window in the first year of life, then repeated echocardioscopy is necessary every six months until the oval window is completely closed or until a decision is made on the surgical treatment of the pathology.

School-age children, as well as adults without heart disease, are recommended to be screened every five years. Patients with mitral valve prolapse should undergo echocardioscopy once every 2 years or annually in the presence of increased physical exertion: heavy physical labor, sports, etc.

Once a year, heart defects in adults are monitored by ultrasound without indications for surgery. After heart surgery or myocardial infarction, ultrasound is performed several times during the first year, from the second year - 1 time per year.

For people suffering from hypertension and ischemic disease, echocardioscopy is advised once a year, paying special attention to myocardial hypertrophy, ejection fraction and valve function.