Szívszonográfia

Szívszonográfia, often referred to as echocardiography or cardiac ultrasound, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique used to visualize the structure and function of the heart. It employs high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create moving pictures of the heart's chambers, valves, walls, and major blood vessels. The reflected sound waves are processed by a computer to generate images and provide detailed information about the heart's pumping ability, blood flow patterns, and any abnormalities.

The procedure typically involves a technician, known as a sonographer, applying a gel to the chest and moving a handheld device called a transducer over the skin. The transducer emits ultrasound waves and detects the echoes. Patients usually lie on their side during the examination. Szívszonográfia is a painless and safe diagnostic tool with no known harmful effects.

This imaging modality is crucial for diagnosing a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. It can detect issues such as congenital heart defects, heart valve problems (stenosis or regurgitation), damage to the heart muscle from heart attacks, pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart), and abnormalities in the size and thickness of the heart walls. It also helps assess the overall efficiency of the heart's pumping action, measured by parameters like ejection fraction. Echocardiography plays a vital role in guiding treatment decisions and monitoring the effectiveness of therapies for heart disease.