What is echo KB? Echocardiography. Who needs a stress-echo cardiac CG?

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Echo-CG (ultrasound) of the heart - what is it?

Indications for cardiac ultrasound

So, the planned indications for undergoing cardiac ultrasound for relatively healthy people are the following conditions and cases:

• Newborn children - Ultrasound of the heart is performed to diagnose defects or congenital developmental anomalies.
• Puberty (adolescents) - Ultrasound of the heart is performed to identify functional disorders of the organ caused by rapid growth and high load on the cardiovascular system.
• Pregnant women - an ultrasound of the heart is performed to assess the condition and functional viability of the organ, as well as to identify its possible hidden pathologies. Heart ultrasound is one of those studies, depending on the results of which a woman will be allowed or prohibited from giving birth through the birth canal. In other words, if the results of an ultrasound of the heart are normal, then there are no obstacles from the heart and blood vessels to childbirth through natural means, and the woman can give birth on her own, unless, of course, there are other contraindications. But if the results of an ultrasound of the heart reveal any pathologies, the cardiologist prohibits natural childbirth due to the high risk of the woman’s death from a sudden heart attack, heart rupture, etc. In such situations, a planned caesarean section is performed.
• Athletes - Ultrasound of the heart is performed to study structural changes in the organ against the background of high physical activity.

Indications for performing ultrasound of the heart in people with suspected or already identified pathology of the cardiovascular system are the following conditions:

1. Suspicion of endocarditis (pain or simply discomfort in the heart area, shortness of breath, arising after a recent sore throat, scarlet fever, an attack of rheumatic pain in the joints or due to intravenous drug use).

2. Suspicion of any diseases of the cardiovascular system, manifested by any of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath (occurs with moderate physical activity, strong emotional stress, or even at rest);
• Pain or any discomfort in the heart area and behind the sternum;
• Audible heart murmurs;
• Feeling of “interruptions” in the work of the heart or too rapid heartbeat;
• Periodic dizziness and headaches;
• Causeless weakness;
• Episodes of loss of consciousness;
• Constantly cold hands and feet;
• Constantly pale or bluish coloration of the skin;
• Poor weight gain in children.

If there are foci in which the myocardium contracts weakly or does not contract at all, as well as thinning of the walls of the heart, then this indicates a previous or developing heart attack.

If the valve flaps move in different directions, do not close or open completely, are thickened or thinned, then this indicates a heart defect (for example, stenosis or valve insufficiency, etc.). If the valve opening is narrowed, then we are talking about stenosis. But if, on the contrary, the valve flaps do not collapse completely, a hole remains in it through which some of the blood flows back, then we are talking about insufficiency.

An increase in ejection fraction may indicate hyperthyroidism, and a decrease may indicate heart failure.

Changes in cardiac contractility may indicate coronary heart disease, heart disease, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, or prolonged physical activity.

If more than 30 ml of fluid is found in the pericardium, this indicates pericarditis.

If increased echogenicity of the myocardium, its thickening and increase in mass are detected, then infiltrative damage to the heart is suspected, such as, for example, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis.

Where to do an ultrasound of the heart?

Heart ultrasound is also performed in private medical centers where relevant specialists work.

Which doctor performs cardiac ultrasound?

Heart ultrasound price

It is often quite difficult to correctly diagnose a particular heart disease. Heart disease can sometimes be confused with respiratory pathologies, diseases of the nervous system, and diseases of the digestive system. But the correct diagnosis is very important for the effective treatment of patients, given how common heart disease is. So, how do they make a heart echo, what is it?

What is a heart echo?

Echo of the heart: what is it? This diagnostic method is a special study using pulsed ultrasound (ultrasound). With its help, you can see the structure of the organ, its size, the condition of not only the heart muscle, but also the heart valves, as well as in real time look at the work of the heart, the characteristics of blood flow in the organ.

Using reflected ultrasound waves, the doctor creates a moving image on the screen that can be recorded or copied. The image can be tilted, looked at from different angles, at a three-dimensional image, sections of organs. Echocardiography tells about the volume of the heart chambers, their sizes, wall thickness, muscle mass. This diagnosis is non-invasive, completely safe and very effective.

When is this technique used?

This diagnostic method is used when patients begin to complain of the following symptoms: a feeling of weakness, dizziness, fainting, constant headache, nausea and pressure surges, shortness of breath, cough.

The same is prescribed for constant swelling of the legs, pain in the chest area, under the shoulder blade, heart rhythm disturbances, pain in the upper abdomen or under the right rib, an increase in the size of the liver, an accelerated heartbeat or, conversely, a sinking heart, and pale or bluish skin. , constantly cold hands and feet.

The heart is examined first when such symptoms appear in people who experience constant stress, have had severe infectious diseases, or abuse alcohol.

Cardiac diagnosis is always prescribed in the following cases:

• If a person has rheumatism.
• There are congenital or acquired heart defects.
• If you have lupus erythematosus.
• For angina pectoris.
• When a person has had a heart attack.
• The rhythm is disturbed, aneurysms and tumors are detected.

The examination technique is needed in order to identify possible heart defects, the phenomenon of mobility or contractility of the heart valves, to identify which part of the heart is not contracting, to detect whether there are any blood clots. The echo also measures the pressure in the pulmonary artery. Very often, diagnostics are prescribed for pregnant women (since their cardiac and vascular systems experience increased stress) and professional athletes.

The study is completely safe even for children. As for contraindications, they simply do not exist. There are difficulties when a person has damaged skin exactly over the area that needs to be examined, or if the child is too small, nervous, capricious and simply does not allow the procedure to be carried out.

Types of procedure

Today, doctors can carry out two types of diagnostics using ultrasound: transthoracic and transesophageal. The first is a conventional examination through the chest, the second is performed through the esophagus and allows you to examine the cardiac system from all angles.

Using special capabilities, specialists can use functional tests and observe changes in the cardiovascular system during, before, and after exercise. There are also additional techniques.

• If necessary, a standard echo can be supplemented with Dopplerography (diagnosis of the speed of blood flow in all large vessels, its movement in the parts of the heart). The latter can detect various heart defects.
• A study with contrast involves the intravenous administration of a special substance, with the help of which specialists see even the smallest vessels on the monitor, assess their diameter, blood supply, and the efficiency of metabolism in tissues. Such diagnostics provide a chance to identify neoplasms that cannot be seen during a standard examination.

Preparation and completion of the procedure

When finding out how a cardiac echo is performed and what it is, patients should also know about preparing for the examination. It may vary, it all depends on what kind of ultrasound is prescribed by the doctor.

• You need to take with you all the results of previously conducted examinations, an ECG, so that the doctor can monitor the development of the disease or the patient’s condition over time.
• It is advisable to remain calm and positive. If a person is worried or stressed, his psychological state can provoke unpleasant cardiac indicators and changes, for example, heart rate increases.
• You should not overeat; food consumption should remain reasonable and moderate.
• If the ultrasound will be performed through the esophagus, you must refuse any food three hours before the examination.
• In the case of diagnosing an infant, the procedure is done between usual feedings.

To conduct the examination, the doctor places the patient on his back and applies a special composition in the form of a gel to the skin (it improves the transmission of impulses to the tissue and back to the equipment). A person needs to calm down and relax as much as possible. Having considered all the necessary parameters, the doctor allows the patient to get up and get dressed, and he prints out the results and deciphers all the information. Typically the entire examination takes approximately forty minutes in total.

Interpretation of ultrasound results

Examining the patient, the doctor sees the condition of the chambers of the heart, what their dimensions are, studies the integrity and thickness of the walls of both the ventricles and atria, what happens to the valves, the condition of the vessels, what is the volume of the heart, is there fluid in the pericardial sac . Depending on what picture the ultrasound produces, the specialist determines whether the data obtained corresponds to what should be normal. This takes into account the person’s age, body movement, and other individual characteristics.

• All newborn babies may have an open hole between the atria for some time. If development goes as it should, it becomes overgrown. If not, then on ultrasound this defect will be visible due to thickening of the walls of the atria. The specialist will also mark the hole in the septum.
• Doppler ultrasound will show the discharge of blood from the aorta towards the pulmonary artery if there is a septal defect.
• This defect is also revealed due to the enlargement of the heart, the discharge of blood from one ventricle to another, and hypertrophy of the walls of the organ.
• Acquired defects are also clearly visible on ultrasound: the valve prevents blood from returning to the atrium. The monitor will clearly show thickening of the valves, their abnormal movement, and thickening of the walls of the atrium and ventricles.
• If a person is suspected of having mitral valve insufficiency, this will be visible using an ultrasound.
• If a person has a myocardial infarction, the monitor will show the absence of muscle contractions in the area that is dead.
• The presence of fluid in the pericardium indicates the development of exudative pericarditis.
• The development of myocarditis on the screen is revealed by the expansion of the chambers of the heart, a decrease in blood flow, and a decrease in contractions of the heart muscle.
• Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, called endocartitis, is visible due to changes in the valves.
• If the heart wall becomes thin and bulges, this indicates the development of a cardiac aneurysm.

Conclusion

After the ultrasound examination, the specialist who performed the procedure explains to the patient what normal data and indicators should be, and then deciphers the individual information and issues a final conclusion. He also talks about the causes, course and danger of the identified disease. Only after this can the most effective treatment be prescribed.

It must be said that it is the attending physician who must decide what is best to carry out in each specific case: an ECG or an ultrasound examination. An ECG shows cardiac impulses and provides information about functional indicators. And ultrasound shows the entire structure of the heart, its structure, and functioning. Ultrasound is considered more informative and allows for more effective treatment of patients.

Before prescribing treatment for any disease, the doctor must diagnose and identify the disease. This also applies to diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system. Some of these diseases may be asymptomatic, so their presence cannot be detected. But even in the case of obvious signs, diagnostic procedures are necessary, since for effective treatment you need to know the cause of the problem.

To identify diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system, two methods are most often used: echocardiography and ECG.

Both of these methods are accurate, but if cardiac pathologies are suspected, ECHO is usually used.

Echocardiography in a simpler sense is an ultrasound of the heart. The following features can be determined using ECHO:

Methods for performing ECHO:

• Transthoracic (echocardiography is carried out through the surface of the patient’s body).
• Transesophageal.
• Stress ECHO (the procedure is carried out under stress on the heart muscle, which makes it possible to identify pathologies that are hidden).

Since such a study accurately characterizes cardiac activity, it is used very often. It can be performed even on newborns.

The reason for conducting an ECHO is:

ECHO should be carried out only in a medical institution, and it should be carried out by a person who has the knowledge necessary to decipher the data.

Such research has several advantages. This is the safety of ECHO (the same as when performing an ECG), the absence of unpleasant sensations for the patient and side effects, and the accuracy of the results. There are no contraindications for cardiac echocardiography; only stress echocardiography is performed with minor restrictions.

What diseases are diagnosed using this method?

An ECHO can determine the condition of the heart valves. Also, such a study allows us to study the structural features of the organ. Thus, among the diseases that can be detected using this method are the following:

• Heart failure.
• Stenosis.
• Prolapse.
• Heart attack.
• Aneurysms.
• Heart disease.

Vasospasm (angina)

Thanks to additional diagnostic methods, you can find out how the valve apparatus functions.

It is impossible to identify the causes of chest pain using cardiac ECHO. Also, this method does not indicate the state of the vessels, does not detect arrhythmia and blockade.

Despite its safety and the absence of contraindications for its implementation, it cannot be assumed that echocardiography alone is enough to be sure of the absence of cardiac problems. Diagnostic methods should be chosen by a doctor, and only he should evaluate the research results.

Execution Features

Patients who are prescribed ECHO are interested in how this procedure is done. It is simple and does not require preparation. To obtain the most accurate information, the patient is placed on his left side.

It is with this positioning of the person that the heart is closest to the chest, and the picture becomes more accurate.

Data is recorded using a sensor. Ultrasound beams from this sensor are capable of studying the chambers of the heart. When examining, it is important that the beam is of the correct shape and directed into the space between the ribs. The ribs become an obstacle to the procedure and make it insufficiently effective.

The examination begins by examining the aorta and studying its condition to identify pathologies. After this, the ventricles and atria are studied, then the contractile properties of the heart muscle are assessed.

To carry out this study, special knowledge and experience are required, so only doctors perform echocardiography. They decipher the received data and, based on this analysis, make a diagnosis. Next, treatment is prescribed.

The patient does not need to take any action before this procedure, as well as before the ECG. There is no need to follow a diet, nor do you need to stop taking medications.

What influences the results?

Distortions in the results of this cardiac study may occur due to the anatomical characteristics of the patient. For a group of people, diagnosing in this way is very difficult.

These include people suffering from obesity, patients with abnormal placement of organs inside the body or the structure of the chest.

For them, echocardiography is performed using the transesophageal method or another method is chosen: ECG or MRI.

Another factor that affects the accuracy of the work is the competence of the doctor who conducted the research. If he does not have enough experience or knowledge to perform the procedure correctly, the results may be incorrect. Therefore, it is so important that the diagnosis is carried out by a specialist.

The equipment used to perform echocardiography also has an impact. The same can be said about any other diagnostic method: ECG or MRI. The serviceability of devices, the quality of their manufacture, modernity - all this matters for accurate results.

Clinics where this service is provided.

The advantage of echocardiography (EchoCG) as one of the methods for diagnosing heart disease is that it is visual and therefore convincing. Such diagnostics allow, as they say, to look inside the “motor” in the patient’s chest, which allows us to notice even minor malfunctions in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Echocardiography capabilities

The device used for echocardiography is called an echocardiograph. The specialist who works with it will be able to see the anatomy of the heart, study the location of its valves, vessels and cavities, and also monitor the phases of the cardiac cycle. That is, what was previously a theory can now be seen with your own eyes. It is not surprising that doctors are of great interest in such a non-invasive diagnostic technique, because it opens up great prospects in the field of medicine, which many could not even think about before.

Echocardiography is a new research method; it appeared only in the 70s of the 20th century, and specialists everywhere learned about it ten years later. But time has passed, and today almost every major hospital is equipped with an echocardiograph. This is direct evidence that echocardiography is confidently preparing to take its place along with such methods for diagnosing diseases of the cardiovascular system as phono- and electrocardiography.

The essence of this diagnostic method is to use ultrasound, which examines the patient’s heart from four sides. An echocardiograph has a monitor on which an image of the heart muscle can be displayed; it can also be obtained as an image by printing it on a printer. Or you can load them into your computer's memory or take a photo.

This procedure is absolutely safe. With its help, the doctor can obtain complete information about the work of the heart, examine its structures, evaluate contractility, identify painful changes, and it will also tell about the general well-being of a person.

Carrying out the echocardiography procedure

The patient needs to prepare - undress to the waist and lie down on the couch. As with an ultrasound, the doctor will apply a special gel to the left side of his chest, which is needed to facilitate the ultrasound. An ultrasound machine is then placed over the heart. The echocardioscope has a nozzle (can be of different shapes). Ultrasonic waves are sent into the patient's body by a crystal mounted in the device. It also records return signals, which allows you to form an image of the heart or, as an option, a curve of cardiac activity on the echocardioscope screen. Analysis of this image allows the blood circulation to be assessed.

By reading information from the monitor, the doctor will study the general activity of the heart, determine its volume and size. Using an ultrasound head, he will examine this vital organ and get an idea of ​​​​the activity of the heart valves.

What are the benefits of echocardiography?

EchoCG, like all ultrasound examinations, has an undeniable advantage - it does not cause any harm to human health. Unlike radiography or scintigraphy, there is no effect of radiation or other negative factor on the body in this case.

Another advantage of echocardiography is that this procedure is not traumatic for the patient. There is no need to swallow the tube, which is also psychologically difficult for many. But the most important thing is that echocardiography allows you to see on the monitor how the human heart works in real time.

Indications for cardiac echocardiography

Doctors prescribe echocardiography for cardiac dysfunction caused by diseases of this organ. EchoCG is part of diagnostic measures in the study of heart valve defects. Using this study, you can identify them, as well as diagnose some other disorders of the functioning of the heart - pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, deterioration of blood flow to the heart.

Where and by whom is echocardiography performed?

As a rule, echocardiography is the prerogative of cardiologists. This study is carried out on an outpatient basis, that is, upon completion, the patient can go home. Of course, they also make him a hospital patient.

How long does the study last?

The exact time that echocardiography will take cannot be determined - it will be different for each specific case. The duration of the study is determined by the size and shape of the patient’s heart, and also depends on the planned scope of the procedure. An echocardiogram may take several minutes, or maybe half an hour.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system, despite the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods, continue to lead among the causes of mortality. One of the informative and safe methods of examining the heart is ultrasound. Let's look at what a heart echo shows and when it needs to be done.

What is cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) and what is its purpose?

Ultrasound diagnostics is based on capturing the reflection of ultrasonic waves from body tissues, which is why examination of the heart is called echocardiography. Using ultrasound, the doctor receives on the monitor a layer-by-layer image of the organ in different projections in real time. He can evaluate:

Detection of changes in the structure and functioning of the heart on ultrasound helps to diagnose the disease and begin timely treatment.

The peculiarity of echocardiography is its non-invasiveness, speed of testing, high information content and safety. The examination takes only 30-40 minutes, but can provide information about congenital and acquired pathologies of the heart, large vessels (aorta, pulmonary trunk, vena cava), and the development of complications in diseases of other organs.

• complaints of pain, discomfort in the heart area, trembling, palpitations, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, hypertension;
• the appearance of general complaints of poor health, fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath with normal exertion;
• detection during examination of edema of the extremities, cyanosis, high blood pressure, heart murmur, expansion of the boundaries during percussion, thrombosis of peripheral veins;
• violations of the organ's functioning detected by instrumental research methods, for example, ECG;
• autoimmune, infectious diseases that can cause complications from the cardiovascular system (rheumatism, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus);
• diseases of the kidneys, liver, respiratory organs in the stage of decompensation, etc.

Also, the Echo-CG method is actively used for preventive examinations and monitoring:

Echo-CG is also necessary when examining older patients.

Types of Echo-CG of the heart

There are several types of echocardiograms that are used to study the heart:

1. Standard. The heart chambers and valves are examined, various indicators are measured and compared with average values. Based on the identified changes, a conclusion is written.
2. Doppler echocardiography. With it, the standard examination is supplemented with the study of blood flow in the chambers and ostia of the coronary arteries. The speed, direction of blood flow, valve dysfunction, and reverse flow (regurgitation) are assessed.
3. Stress echocardiography. A standard study is carried out and then repeated after physical activity (exercise bike, treadmill). Changes in work at rest and stress are studied, for example, with angina pectoris.
4. Contrast Echo-CG. A contrast agent injected into a vein helps to better visualize the inner surface of the walls.
5. Transesophageal. Minimally invasive examination using endoscopic equipment. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the esophagus, closest to the heart. Therefore, even small changes that are not visible on standard echocardiography can be studied.

Also distinguished is fetal echocardiography, carried out to identify defects and developmental anomalies.

Interpretation of echocardiography results

All obtained and calculated indicators are recorded in the conclusion.

When interpreting cardiac echocardiography in adults, the data obtained are compared with average values. For this, each doctor has special tables that indicate the norms of cardiac echocardiography, taking into account the patient’s age, gender and other characteristics.

Normal sizes of heart structures in adults and children

The tables show the average size of a healthy heart in adults and children, so it is impossible to clearly interpret what is normal. The child’s heart changes significantly already in the first days of life, due to the opening of the lungs and an increase in the load on the right side.

In adults, the heart grows up to 35–40 years of age, and its size may differ from the norm in people involved in sports or those who, by their nature and nature, lead a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to examine individual structural features when examining.

What pathologies does the study reveal in adults and children?

An echo of the heart in an adult can reveal structural changes, which indicates the presence of the following diseases:

Also, a cardiac echo shows some features, for example, additional chords (LVDC, DCP), which is not always dangerous for the patient.

Useful video

In this video, the doctor talks about the possibilities of echocardiographic examination.

Dangerous diagnoses when additional research and treatment are required

Can a specialist determine how dangerous the patient’s condition is based on what the ultrasound shows? There are a number of signs that indicate serious illness.

These include:

• hypertrophy of the pancreas, increased pressure in it, which indicates pulmonary hypertension;
• signs of patent ductus arteriosus (Botallov's) such as hypertrophy of the right sections;
• wall hypertrophy and an increase in diastolic volumes of the right and left ventricles (RV, LV), which indicates a ventricular septal defect, can also occur with the atria;
• pathological changes in the mitral valve, with stenosis - thickening of the valves, with prolapse - hypertrophy and enlargement of the left parts;
• impaired myocardial contractility during myocarditis, and if the contractions are weak only in one area, then this is a sign of previous ischemia;
• changes in the shape of valves in infective endocarditis;
• effusion in the pleural cavity, etc.

With such indicators, additional research and medical care are needed.

Features of Echo-CG of the heart and interpretation of results during pregnancy

During pregnancy, echocardiography can be performed not only on the expectant mother, but also on the fetus. The fetus has an Echo CG to determine how normally the heart is developing and to identify developmental defects. And it is prescribed to pregnant women both for previously identified diseases of the cardiovascular system and when symptoms appear that the heart cannot cope with the increased load. Depending on what the cardiac echocardiography shows, the issue of termination, further management of pregnancy and childbirth, and indications for early delivery by cesarean section are decided.

Ultrasound of the heart is an informative way to detect cardiovascular diseases, so doctors recommend, regardless of the presence of complaints and the patient’s well-being, that all people over 40 years of age undergo echocardiography at least once every 2 years.