Echocardiography - what is this word? Indeed, many people know another term - an electrocardiogram. Today we learn what echocardiography is, how it is performed, what are its features. We also find out how to prepare for this procedure and what is its cost.
Description
Echocardiography, abbreviated as Echocardiography, is a cardiac examination method based on ultrasound scanning of the chest cavity. Using this method, the diagnosis of various diseases of the "engine" of the body. This research method allows you to evaluate 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 the mass of the heart, the ejection fraction and other parameters.
Another name for this diagnostic method that people hear more often is ultrasound, that is, ultrasound.
Indications for appointment
The specialist can direct the procedure of cardiac echocardiography in such cases:
- If a cardiologist finds a heart murmur.
- There are changes on the ECG.
- If a person feels a malfunction in the heart.
- The patient has a fever that is not a sign of SARS, problems with the throat, nose, ears or kidneys.
- According to the results of the x-ray, an increase in the size of the heart or a change in its shape, location of large vessels is visible.
Also, this research method is carried out in the following situations:
- Patients with high blood pressure.
- To those patients who had heart defects in the family.
- 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 worried about dizziness.
- If there is a suspicion of a heart tumor.
- With angina pectoris.
- After a heart attack, etc.
Research in relation to pregnant
A safe and universal method for identifying 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 prescribed for 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 to both mom and baby.
This research method must be done by pregnant women in such situations:
- If a woman in labor in the family had heart defects.
- The previous pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.
- If a woman has diabetes.
- During pregnancy, the expectant mother fell ill with rubella.
- If a woman has taken antibiotics or antiepileptic drugs in the 1st or 2nd trimester.
ECG differences from echocardiography
The first abbreviation stands for electrocardiography.
Echocardiography means nothing more than echocardiography. What is this procedure in and what is its difference from the first? In another way, it is also called an ultrasound of the heart. The differences are as follows:
- Echocardiography is done using a special device - a transducer, which the specialist applies to the patient’s chest in the heart region. The drug picks up ultrasonic waves passing through the walls of the "engine" of the body and reflects them back. The converter receives the returned signals, which are then processed using a computer. At the same time, the ECG is done differently: special sensors are attached to the patient’s chest, which measure the electrical activity of the heart. The electrodes are connected to a machine, which subsequently displays a special graph indicating the strength and nature of the electrical signals.
- With the help of echocardiography, the doctor determines how well the heart pumps blood through the body. Also, thanks to this method, weakening of this function can be determined, which is a symptom of heart failure. In this case, ECG diagnostics can only measure the signal level and check whether the “engine” of the body sends stable electrical impulses.
- The result of the ECG is always presented on the graph. Echocardiography is recorded in photographs.
- Using an electrocardiogram, you can identify problems with the heart rhythm, arrhythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia. And what does an ultrasound of the heart show? It allows you to evaluate the condition of the heart valves, the function of the heart after the attack, the possible location of blood clots, and the disturbance in the functioning of this important organ.
Similarities of echocardiography and ECG
- Both research methods can estimate the size of the heart chambers. For example, enlargement of the right or left atrium 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
ECG is an affordable option. However, he can not always show a clear picture of the problem, in contrast to ultrasound of the heart. What a clear echocardiography shows is 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 a specialist can visually observe his cameras. 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.
Boundary parameters of cardiac echocardiography
After an ultrasound of this organ is done, the specialist who conducted the study will certainly refer the person to a cardiologist to decipher the results. In order not to worry again, not to wind up yourself, below in the table you can find the borderline acceptable values:
| Echocardiography: norm in parameters | Size cm |
| Variation | Mean |
| Right ventricular cavity at the end of diastole | 0.9–2.6 | 1.7 |
| Left ventricular cavity at the end of diastole | 3.5–5.7 | 4.7 |
| Aortic orifice diameter | 2.0-3.7 | 2.7 |
| Left atrial cavity | 1.9–4 | 2.9 |
These are the main values that the doctor pays attention to when looking at an ultrasound scan.
Echocardiography: Deciphering the Results
Only the cardiologist can correctly read, understand and explain to the patient the results of this diagnostic method. An independent study of the basic parameters of cardiac indicators does not give a person complete information on assessing his state of health. But for his reassurance, the patient can familiarize himself with the average values described above. Only an experienced doctor in the field of cardiology can correctly decipher the result of the apparatus, 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 report 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 get more accurate results, based on which the patient will be diagnosed and prescribed treatment.
What diseases can be diagnosed with echocardiography?
Thanks to this method, many problems can be identified. It:
- Heart failure.
- Rheumatism.
- Coronary disease.
- A heart tumor.
- Vegetovascular dystonia.
- Myocarditis.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Arterial hypertension.
- Hypotension.
- Congenital or acquired heart defects.
- Thrombosis.
- A heart tumor.
Methods of ultrasound
Echocardiography diagnostic methods has the following:
- Transthoracic technique.
- Transesophageal ultrasound.
The first method of diagnosis is the most common, since it has been used for a long time. The transthoracic technique for detecting heart problems is carried out through the chest using a sensor that is pressed against the patient's body in the region of the heart. During the procedure, the patient is on the couch while lying on his side or back.
Transesophageal echocardiography - what is this research method and how is it carried out? This is also a method of ultrasound diagnosis of the heart. However, it is carried out not from the surface of the chest, as with the transthoracic technique, but from the esophagus. The sensor is determined exactly there, thanks to this method the doctor can get as close to the heart as possible, and also see those departments that are not visible with standard ultrasound.
The cost of the procedure
Not all state polyclinics and hospitals can boast that they can offer such a method of heart research 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 that provides paid services. In Moscow, for example, echocardiography will be more expensive than in Voronezh.
If we compare the price of ultrasound and 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.
Preparation for transesophageal examination
Echocardiography 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 an ultrasound scan (chocolate, strong tea). It is also necessary to stop taking drugs that contain such a component as nitroglycerin. Before the procedure, the specialist should ask if the patient has dentures. Before echocardiography, they must be removed.
Transesophageal ultrasound of the heart
- The patient lies on the couch.
- A catheter is placed in a vein and a general anesthesia is performed . Local anesthesia may also be used.
- The pharyngeal cavity is washed with a local anesthetic. This is necessary so that the patient does not have a throat irritated.
- The patient is connected to special equipment, which in the future will monitor the work of the heart, as well as breathing. If a person was given general anesthesia, then he is additionally provided with oxygen.
- The patient is turned on his left side. A mouthpiece is placed in his mouth.
- With local anesthesia, an endoscope is inserted into the patient's mouth. If general anesthesia was performed, then this device is immediately inserted through the esophagus into the throat with further advancement.
- The endoscope captures images on the monitor thanks to a special sensor located at its end.
- A specialist examines the heart from different angles.
Preparation and conduct of transthoracic ultrasound
In this case, no planned actions need to be carried out. The procedure is performed in the following order:
1. The patient strips to the waist, lays 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 installs 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 what tentative diagnosis the doctor put him. But this does not mean that it is possible to put an end to this. With the result of ultrasound, the patient must go for a consultation with a cardiologist.
Contraindications
In general, cardiac echocardiography is a completely harmless procedure. But due to some anatomical features of patients, problems may arise associated with insufficient ultrasound penetration through the transesophageal method. This can happen, for example, with chest deformation, the presence of severe hairline in men, obesity, large breast size in women.
In the following situations, an ultrasound scan 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 the synonym for echocardiography is ultrasound. Both words mean the same process. Cardiac echocardiography 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 on absolutely all patients. While transesophageal echocardiography is used infrequently, since in this case a camera with an endoscope is inserted through the esophagus.