Echocardiography

Abstract

The introduction of echocardiography in the early 1970s revolutionized the practice of cardiac diagnostics. Until that time, identification of valve pathology and assessment of severity depended almost entirely upon clinical examination and patient symptoms, as did the evaluation of ventricular function. Modern transthoracic echocardiography allows the rapid assessment of cardiac structure and function in a relatively low-cost, repeatable and highly reproducible manner with little, if any, patient discomfort. Anatomical and, more importantly, physiological information informs prognosis and risk assessment—both major considerations for the cardiac surgeon. Finally, new modalities, including 3 dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, stress and strain imaging give surgeons valuable insights into structures such as the mitral valve and right ventricle, facilitating heart team discussion and decision-making in complex cases.