Echocardiography of the heart - indications and contraindications. What is cardiac echocardiography: indications, contraindications, features of the procedure Echo data

Echocardiography (EchoCG) is a method of examining the heart, it is based on an ultrasound scan of the chest.

Thanks to this method, various diseases of the body are studied.

It helps to assess the diameter of the heart and its substructures, the width of the myocardium of the ventricles and atria.

The procedure reveals the mass of the heart, as well as many other parameters.

Doctors and ordinary people can sometimes give echocardiography another name - ultrasound.

Therefore, when asked how ECHO of the heart differs from ultrasound of the heart, doctors say - nothing.

It's the same procedure.

Your doctor may refer you for an echocardiogram if:

• the client has a murmur in the heart area;
• people with ECG abnormalities;
• a person notices disruptions in the functioning of the heart;
• increased body temperature, signs of ARVI;
• During diagnosis, deformation of the heart muscle was discovered, as well as an increase in the mass of the organ.

Echocardiography may be used in the following cases:

• Patients with very high blood pressure.
• Patients who have had heart defects in their family tree.
• If there are signs of pain in the left breast area.
• If there is shortness of breath or swelling of the limbs.
• The patient has fainting.
• The patient experiences dizziness.
• Signs of a tumor formation on the heart were detected.
• After suffering a heart attack and other diseases.

The safest and most unique way to identify heart problems and defects is echocardiography. It can be administered to people of different age groups (children and adults), and can even be prescribed to pregnant mothers. It is prescribed to determine fetal abnormalities and correct the situation as soon as possible so that the baby remains safe and sound. Echocardiography is safe for the baby and his mother.

This procedure is necessary for pregnant women in the following cases:

• If the pregnant woman has had heart defects in her blood relatives.
• Cases of miscarriages have been observed.
• If a pregnant woman has diabetes.
• If you have had rubella during pregnancy.
• If in the first or second trimester the expectant mother used antibiotics or other drugs.

Cardiac echocardiography - advantages and disadvantages

ECG is electrocardiography, and EchoCG is echocardiography of the heart.

What is the difference between them, and is there any at all:

• The echogram of the heart works thanks to special devices - a transducer (the doctor places it on the client’s chest in the area of ​​the heart). The device reads the ultrasonic waves that pass through the walls of the body and displays them back. The converter receives the necessary impulses, after which they are processed by the computer.
• Electrocardiography works in a different way: sensors are attached to the client's chest cavity. They measure the electrical activity of the heart. The sensors are connected to a special machine, which, after measurement, shows a special graph of the strength and nature of the electrical signals.

Thanks to echocardiography of the heart, doctors determine the degree of its functioning and the functioning of the entire body as a whole. It can also be used to determine how weak the heart is. Electrocardiography can only measure the signal level and whether there are active electrical impulses being sent by the body's "engines". The results are always shown in graph form.

The results of the cardiac echogram are recorded in photographs. Thanks to the electrocardiogram, it is possible to determine heart rhythm defects, identify arrhythmia, tachycardia and bradycardia. An ultrasound examination will help determine how well the heart functions, the condition of its valves, whether there are blood clots in the body, or deformation of the heart.

There are also certain similarities between echocardiography and electrocardiography:

• Both diagnostic methods will help to estimate the diameter of the heart chambers. An example would be the detection of an increase in atrial diameter.
• Both methods will help to identify pathology in the location of the “engine” of the body.
• Swelling of the heart, thanks to cardiac echocardiography, electrocardiography can also detect inflammation of the tissues that surround the heart muscle.

ECG is the most accessible method of the two options. But, unfortunately, it cannot always identify and show an accurate picture of the problem. On the contrary, an echogram of the heart will help reveal a clearer picture. Cardiac echocardiography can reveal precise structural pathologies and provides accurate images.

The method is more reliable in identifying the state of heart health. One of the big advantages of ultrasound of the heart muscle is the ability of the doctor to monitor the chambers of the heart. One of the significant disadvantages is that this method can only be used in private medical institutions, and it is much more expensive than an ECG.

Echocardiography with Doppler analysis and other ultrasound methods

Echocardiography with Doppler analysis and other diagnostic methods reveal a large number of problems.

For example:

• Heart failure.
• Skolsky-Buyo disease.
• Various cardiac tumors.
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia.
• Inflammation of the heart muscle.
• Forms of ischemic disease.
• Arterial hypertension.
• High blood pressure.
• Congenital or acquired heart defects.

There are several ways to perform an ECHO.

Heart examination is done using the following methods:

1. Transthoracic echocardiography- the most well-known method, as it has been used for many years. This technique for finding heart problems is performed over the chest using a special sensor. It is pressed against the body of the person being examined in the area of ​​the heart. During the session, the patient's body position should be on the side or on the back.
2. Transnutritive echocardiography. This method uses an ultrasound scan of the heart. This method is carried out using a special sensor through the esophagus. The sensor is installed there for the best approach to the patient’s heart, and this helps to discern its parts. With conventional ultrasound it is impossible to observe parts of the heart.

There are also different modes for checking the heart.

Movable M-mode. With echocardiography in M-mode, the sensor sends waves in one axis, which can be selected. During the study, the heart is displayed and the data is shown on the monitor screen. The heart can be observed from above in real time.

If you change the directions of the ultrasound, it will be possible to check the stomachs, the vessel that comes out of the left stomach and supplies oxygenated blood to all the patient’s organs, as well as the two upper chambers of the heart. This study of heart function can be used for both a child and an older person, because the procedure is absolutely safe for health.

The Doppler echocardiography method is performed to determine the speed at which the blood moves and the turbulence of the blood flow. Information data that is obtained during the procedure carries a message about heart defects and the filling of the left stomach.

Calculation of the object's speed and its changes, as well as the difference in signal frequencies are the basis of this verification method. The frequency changes when red blood cells encounter sound. The Doppler shift denotes the amount of this change. This signal can be perceived by the human ear and can be reproduced using an echo device in the form of a sound that we can hear.

B-method. With the help of a 2D echocardiogram, treating physicians receive images in two fields of view. When conducting a wave in the form of ultrasound, the frequency of which is 30 times per 1 second, it is conducted along an arc of 90 degrees, that is, the scanner field is normal in relation to the four-chambered heart and its position. You can change the direction of the sensor using a picture that is displayed on the screen and with its help you need to analyze the structure of the heart.

Stress echocardiography. It is used to study the work of the patient’s heart using physical activity during this method; according to these indications, the required load is carried out and produced in doses that are determined in advance.

Using pharmacological drugs, they cause increased cardiac activity. They immediately examine the changes that occur with the muscles in the heart during a stress test. In the absence of a decrease in blood supply, a minimal percentage of risk for cardiovascular complications is often indicated.

The procedure may have the nature of a biased assessment of use; programs for echocardiography display images on the screen that are recorded at different stages of the examination. This analysis of heart function at rest and under stress allows one to compare the readings.

This observation method allows you to find hidden problems with the heart that are invisible at rest. Most often, the examination process takes about 45 minutes; individual loads are selected for each client, which depend on age and health.

To prepare the patient for such a study, it is necessary to perform the following steps:

• Wear loose clothing that will not restrict movement.
• Stop exercising and eating large amounts of food 3 hours before the stress echo.
• Then, 2 hours before the test, drink a glass of water and have a small snack.

Cardiac echocardiography is an absolutely safe procedure. Problems can only arise due to the patient's anatomy; they may be combined with the inability of ultrasound to leak through the transesophageal technique. A hindrance may be the destruction of breast cells, excess weight, voluminous breasts in women, or large amounts of hair in men.

In what situations is it not allowed to perform cardiac ultrasound:

• If a person has stomach diseases such as stomach ulcers and gastritis.
• If the patient has a tumor of any degree. Transesophageal ultrasound of the heart is not permitted in these cases. In this case, transthoracic echocardiography can be done.

The cost of this treatment in private hospitals varies from 2,300 to 3,000 rubles. The price will also depend on the doctor’s qualifications, current equipment, the location of the clinic building that provides these services, as well as the honor of the clinic.

Not every public clinic can offer this method of heart examination. In Moscow you can undergo echocardiography, and it will be more expensive compared to Voronezh. When comparing prices for ultrasound and ECG examinations, in the case of an ECG the patient will have to pay about 700 rubles. Often, an electrocardiogram in public clinics is performed completely free of charge.

Echocardiogram of the heart - preparation and implementation

A cardiac echocardiogram is performed on an outpatient basis. Before the study, observing an interval of several hours, the patient should refrain from consuming any food or even water.

In addition, the day before the study, it is prohibited to abuse caffeine and products containing it, as well as stop taking medications containing nitroglycerin. If you have dentures, all dentures must be removed before the examination.

Transesophageal echocardiography of the heart is performed as follows:

1. The patient is placed on a medical ottoman, he takes a comfortable position. Then a catheter is inserted, using which general or local anesthesia is administered. The patient's throat is washed with a special anesthetic composition to prevent irritation.
2. Next, special equipment is connected to monitor the functioning of the cardiac and respiratory systems. When applying general anesthesia, the human body is also provided with oxygen artificially supplied by a special device.
3. The person being examined is turned to the left side, a special mouthpiece is placed in the oral cavity, and then an endoscope is inserted. When general anesthesia is used, the endoscope is inserted into the person's throat through the esophagus and advanced further. A special sensor at the end of the device projects everything seen on the computer screen. The heart muscle is examined by a specialist from various angles.

A transthoracic echocardiogram of the heart does not provide for any planned preparation actions.

In the office, the patient must remove clothes from the upper part of the body and lie down on an ottoman. Then a gel is applied to the left side of the patient’s chest so that the ultrasound waves are more correctly transmitted to the monitor. The doctor then installs the sensors and notes the data shown.

After the study, all data is analyzed and a written report is drawn up and given to the patient. With the results of cardiac echocardiography, the patient must contact a cardiologist to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Standards for cardiac echocardiography for interpreting results

The norms of cardiac echocardiography are compared with the results of the study, and the cardiologist explains the exact diagnosis.

In order not to overwhelm yourself once again, you can familiarize yourself with the parameters that are considered normal when conducting an echocardiography:

• The pancreas cavity at the end of the relaxation phase is from 0.9 to 2.6 (average value is 1.7).
• The LV cavity at the end of relaxation is from 3.5 to 5.7 (average value is 4.7).
• The diameter of the aortic mouth is from 2.0 to 3.7 (average value 2.7).
• The plane of the left atrium is from 1.9 to 4 (average value is 2.9).

Above are the main parameters that doctors pay close attention to when making a diagnosis.

In normal condition, the thickness of the wall of the pancreas should be 5 mm, and its dimensions at rest should be 0.75-1.1 cm. Decoding the indicators of the study of heart valves is much easier. Deviations from these parameters may indicate the presence of stenosis or heart failure.

Only a professional cardiologist is able to correctly decipher and explain the results of the study to the patient, based on the norms of cardiac echocardiography. Independent reading and decoding of the results, although it is possible, will definitely not give a complete picture of a person’s diagnosis, and even more so, one cannot independently prescribe the necessary treatment.

You can only familiarize yourself with the average values ​​to calm your own nerves before seeing a specialist. Only a qualified doctor with a certain amount of work experience can correctly read the results of the study and answer all questions that arise, as well as prescribe the correct treatment for the disease that has arisen.

But don't worry in advance if the averages don't match. There is a possibility that the equipment used for the study records indicators opposite to other points. This only indicates that the equipment is quite outdated.

Modern devices provide the most accurate indicators that guarantee the patient receives the necessary treatment in accordance with the diagnosis and various recommendations.

Once again, I would like to note that independently deciphered results can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. The correct result can only be achieved by consulting an experienced cardiologist, who will also prescribe appropriate treatment.

The heart begins to beat long before we are born. Surprising and even magical, right? However, this means that this organ works longer and harder than others. And not only the quality of our life, but also life itself depends on how carefully we pay attention to his condition!

More than 17 million people die every year from heart and vascular diseases. Moreover, it has been proven that 80% of premature strokes and strokes could be prevented!

Fortunately, most cardiovascular diseases are successfully diagnosed thanks to modern innovative equipment and the professionalism of doctors. And as you know, establishing an accurate diagnosis means taking an important step towards healing.

One of the most informative and safe studies is cardiac echocardiography (EchoCG) or, in other words, ultrasound of the heart.

The essence of echocardiography

Ultrasound of the heart - the process of studying all the main parameters and structures of this organ using ultrasound.

When exposed to electrical energy, the echocardiograph transducer emits high-frequency sound that travels through the structures of the heart, is reflected from them, captured by the same transducer and transmitted to the computer. He, in turn, analyzes the received data and displays it on the monitor in the form of a two- or three-dimensional image.

In recent years, echocardiography has been increasingly used for preventive purposes, which makes it possible to identify cardiac abnormalities at an early stage.

What does an ultrasound of the heart show:

• heart size;
• integrity, structure and thickness of its walls;
• sizes of the cavities of the atria and ventricles;
• contractility of the heart muscle;
• operation and structure of valves;
• condition of the pulmonary artery and aorta;
• pulmonary artery pressure level (to diagnose pulmonary hypertension, which can occur with pulmonary embolism, for example, when blood clots from the veins of the legs enter the pulmonary artery);
• direction and speed of cardiac blood flow;
• condition of the outer shell, pericardium.

Who is prescribed echocardiography?

The following are routinely examined:

• infants - if congenital defects are suspected;
• teenagers - at a time of intensive growth;
• pregnant women with existing chronic diseases - to decide on the method of childbirth;
• professional athletes - to monitor the state of the cardiovascular system.

An echocardiogram is required if:

• anomalies of the endocardium and valve apparatus:
• threat or previous heart attack;
• failures of cardiac activity due to various intoxications;
• attacks of angina pectoris;
• of various origins;

And also in the process of treating heart diseases, before and after cardiac surgery.

When is a cardiac ultrasound performed?

Indications for cardiac ultrasound are:

• alarming changes in health (increased or interrupted heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling, weakness, prolonged fever, chest pain, cases of loss of consciousness);
• changes detected in the last ECG;
• increased blood pressure;
• heart murmurs;
• manifestations of coronary heart disease;
• heart defects (congenital, acquired);
• pericardial diseases;

Preparation for cardiac echocardiography

Ultrasound of the heart does not require special preparations. On the eve of the procedure, the patient is free to eat as usual and perform normal activities. The only thing that will be asked of him is to give up alcohol, caffeine-containing drinks, and strong tea.

If the patient is constantly taking medications, this must be warned in advance so that the results of the study are not distorted.

For each subsequent ultrasound of the heart, you should take a transcript of the previous one. This will help the doctor see the process over time and draw the right conclusions about your condition.

The examination itself takes from 15 to 30 minutes.

The patient, undressed to the waist, is lying on his back or side. A special gel is applied to his chest, ensuring easier sliding of the sensor over the area under study (the patient does not experience discomfort).

The specialist performing echocardiography has access to any areas of the heart muscle - this is achieved by changing the angle of the sensor.

Sometimes standard ultrasound of the heart does not provide complete information about the functioning of the heart, so other types of echocardiography are used. For example, fat on the chest of an obese person can interfere with the passage of ultrasound waves. In this case, transesophageal echocardiography is indicated. As the name suggests, the ultrasound probe is inserted directly into the esophagus, as close to the left atrium as possible.

And to screen cardiac function under stress, the patient may be prescribed stress echocardiography. This study differs from the usual one in that it is performed with a load on the heart, achieved by physical exercise, special medications or under the influence of electrical impulses. It is used primarily to identify myocardial ischemia and the risk of complications of coronary artery disease, as well as for certain heart defects to confirm the need for surgery.

Decoding EchoCG

After the examination, the doctor draws up a conclusion. First, a visual picture with the presumed diagnosis is described. The second part of the study protocol indicates the patient’s individual indicators and their compliance with standards.

Decoding the data obtained is not a final diagnosis, since the study can be done not by a cardiologist, but by an ultrasound diagnostic specialist.

It is, based on the collected medical history, examination results, interpretation of tests and data from all prescribed studies, that he can draw accurate conclusions about your condition and prescribe the necessary treatment!

EchoCG norm: what some parameters indicate

There is a range of normal values ​​for one or another cardiac ultrasound indicator for adults (in children the norms are different and directly depend on age).

Thus, along with other important parameters, echocardiography helps to obtain information about the ejection fraction of the heart - this indicator determines the efficiency of the work performed by the heart with each beat.

Ejection fraction (EF) is the percentage of blood volume ejected into the vessels from the heart ventricle during each contraction. If there were 100 ml of blood in the ventricle, and after the heart contracted, 55 ml entered the aorta, it is considered that the ejection fraction was 55%.

When the term ejection fraction is heard, we are usually talking about the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, since it is the left ventricle that ejects blood into the systemic circulation.

A healthy heart, even at rest, pumps more than half of the blood from the left ventricle into the vessels with each beat. As the ejection fraction decreases, heart failure develops.

Cardiac ultrasound / Echocardiography (ECHOCG) is an ultrasound examination of the heart. Non-invasive, that is, a technique that does not damage tissues and organs, allows us to identify a wide range of changes in the functioning of the heart that do not manifest themselves in the form of painful sensations and are not detected during an ECG.

The main purpose of ultrasound diagnostics is to assess the functioning of the heart. Using Echo-CG, the volume, size of the organ cavities, the thickness of its walls are determined, and structural changes in the valves and other parts of the heart are identified.

Why is Echo-CG performed?

With the help of cardiac ECHO it became possible:

• receive information about the size of the heart, the volume of its cavities;
• determine the condition of the organ membranes (pericardium);
• record information about the thickness of the walls of the heart;
• detect cicatricial changes in the myocardium;
• study the contractile function of the myocardium, that is, the ability to contract the ventricular muscles;
• analyze the operation and condition of the valves of the organ;
• assess intracardiac blood flow, determine the presence of pathological blood flow, measure blood pressure in the heart chambers;
• assess the condition of the largest vessels of the organ.

• ischemic disease;
• myocardial pericarditis, that is, an inflammatory process;
• aneurysms of any degree;
• hypertrophy and dilatation of the heart chambers;
• damage to the blood vessels of the organ;
• heart valve damage;
• the presence of intracardiac blood clots, heart tumors;
• identifying the level of pressure in the pulmonary artery.

The examination is used not only in diagnosing functional organ disorders. It is also indispensable in preventive cardiology. Using this procedure, you can identify even the slightest deviations in the functioning of the heart, prevent a wide range of pathologies and prevent their further development.

Using this procedure, you can identify even the slightest deviations in the functioning of the heart, prevent a wide range of pathologies and prevent their further development.

Advantages of cardiac ultrasound (cardiac echocardiography) at SM-Clinic

Features of ultrasound examination of the heart at SM-Clinic:

• echocardiographic devices used for research allow obtaining images in four mutually perpendicular planes, which guarantees maximum diagnostic accuracy;
• using Doppler echocardiography, the speed and direction of blood flow in the heart valves are determined, and the dynamics of changes in these parameters are monitored;
• the study is absolutely safe for the patient, there is no effect on the body;
• Heart echo has a price that is affordable for most of the clinic’s patients.

Indications for echocardiography

Echocardiography is mandatory after cardiac surgery or, if necessary, during preparation for surgery.

• dyspnea;
• general weakness;
• sudden pain, trembling in the chest;
• swelling of the ankles;
• frequent nausea and vomiting.

• suspicion of dilatation of the thoracic aorta (aneurysm);
• suspicions of the presence of tumors in the heart area;
• high blood pressure;
• previous myocardial infarction;
• any changes that were detected during the ECG.

Contraindications to echocardiography

ECG and EchoCG: what are the differences

EchoCG is performed using a transducer that is applied in the area of ​​the heart to the patient's chest. The transducer picks up the ultrasound waves that pass through the walls of the heart and then reflects them and receives the returned signals. They are processed by a computer. An ECG is performed according to a different principle: special sensors are attached to the patient’s chest. They measure the activity of the heart. Sensors (electrodes) are connected to a special device, which displays a graph indicating the nature and strength of the received electrical signals.

Ultrasound examination of the heart determines how well the organ pumps blood. With the help of such diagnostics it is also possible to identify violations of this function, which indicate heart failure. Electrocardiography, in turn, only measures the signal level and checks whether the heart is sending stable impulses.

The ECG result is presented on a graph, and the EchoCG is presented in the form of photographs.
An electrocardiogram can detect arrhythmia, tachycardia, abnormal heart rhythm, and bradycardia. Echocardiography evaluates the state of heart function after attacks, heart valves, possible localization of blood clots and other abnormalities in the functioning of the organ.

Types of EchoCG

With one-dimensional diagnostics, information is displayed in the form of a graph on a computer monitor. With the help of such a study, you can obtain information about the size of the atrium and ventricles, and evaluate their performance.

With a two-dimensional examination, information is provided in the form of an image of the organ. Two-dimensional echocardiography makes it possible to obtain an accurate picture of the heart’s functioning, determine its size, wall thickness, and chamber volume.

There is also Doppler echocardiography - a study that checks how well the blood supply to the organ occurs. For example, during the procedure, the doctor observes the movement of blood in the vessels and parts of the heart. Normally, blood flow should move in one direction, but if the valves are malfunctioning, the blood may flow in the opposite direction.

Doppler examination is usually prescribed in combination with one-dimensional or two-dimensional ultrasound examination.

Preparing for the examination

How is echocardiography performed?

When a person lies on his left side, the acoustic window expands, so ultrasonic sensors pick up any vibrations and noise of the organ structures. The echocardiograph does its job within 15 minutes. It processes and synchronizes data received from sensors via an electrocardiographic channel. At this time, the patient can relax, as the procedure is painless and does not cause discomfort.

Results of the diagnostic procedure

After an ultrasound examination of the heart at SM-Clinic, the patient receives:

• echocardiogram - visualization of soft x-ray negative tissues on photographic paper or an ultrasound image of the heart;
• conclusion of a diagnostician.

Diagnostics at SM-Clinic are carried out by qualified specialists with impressive practical experience. The availability of modern equipment, as well as highly qualified diagnosticians, guarantees the most accurate examination results.

You can get an ECHO of the heart in Moscow inexpensively here at SM-Clinic. We perform tests at the best price and quickly provide diagnostic results to patients.

You can find out all the details you are interested in, clarify the cost of cardiac ultrasound and other information, and also sign up for an examination from the operators of the SM-Clinic Contact Center.

We found 820 clinics where you can undergo cardiac ultrasound in Moscow.

How much does echocardiography cost in Moscow?

Prices for cardiac ultrasound in Moscow from 800 rubles. up to 36481 rub..

Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart): reviews

Patients left 9,176 reviews of clinics that offer echocardiography.

What is cardiac echocardiography and what does it show?

An echocardiographic examination of the heart is a clinical analysis and assessment of the condition of the heart using a diagnostic device that uses both ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound. An ultrasound of the heart allows the doctor to see the structure of the chambers of the heart, adjacent large vessels, the functioning of the valves, and measure the thickness of the walls of the heart. Doppler analysis makes it possible to measure the speed and direction of blood flow and display its three-dimensional color image on the screen.

To diagnose the vessels that supply the heart muscle - the coronary arteries, a stress test is performed, which combines ultrasound, ECG and Doppler analysis with physical activity on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer.

Echo kg is done to diagnose heart diseases in infants, children and adults, heart diseases, as well as to monitor patients with an established diagnosis, especially with heart valve diseases, congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and pericarditis, coronary disease, heart failure.

The doctor may order an echographic examination if a murmur is detected in the heart, if its size increases, signs of fluid in the heart sac, if there is a suspicion of deterioration in the ability of the heart to pump blood, or if exercise tolerance decreases.

How is echocardiography done?

The patient sits on a couch while the doctor attaches ECG sensors to the chest and applies gel to the skin. The doctor moves a sensor that emits ultrasound and receives reflected sound waves over the surface of the body, sometimes asking you to hold your breath or turn around. Based on the analysis of reflected sound waves, the computer displays a “live” picture of the beating heart on the screen and shows a three-dimensional color image of the blood flow. The study lasts from 45 minutes to one hour.

What preparation is needed before the procedure?

No special preparation is required to conduct an Echo. The patient can eat and drink and take medications unless otherwise instructed.

Decoding the results

During the study, the doctor measures the size of the heart, the thickness of its walls, and the computer calculates its performance and blood flow parameters. The entire study is recorded as a video file with sound so that other doctors, such as cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, can analyze them and evaluate the results.