echocardiografische

Echocardiografie, or echocardiography, is an imaging modality that uses ultrasound to visualize the heart’s chambers, valves, and surrounding structures, and to assess cardiac function. The adjective echocardiografische describes findings, measurements, or techniques derived from echocardiography.

The technique can be performed transthoracically (TTE), which is noninvasive and usually the first-line modality, or transesophageal (TEE), which provides higher-resolution images of posterior cardiac structures and is used when greater detail is needed. Doppler ultrasound is integrated to measure blood flow and velocities, aiding assessment of valvular disease and intracardiac hemodynamics. Color flow mapping, spectral Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging expand diagnostic capabilities. Advances include three-dimensional echocardiography and strain imaging (speckle-tracking) for more accurate ventricular volume, ejection fraction, and myocardial deformation assessment.

Indications include evaluation of valvular disease (stenosis and regurgitation), cardiomyopathy, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, suspected endocarditis, and pulmonary hypertension, as well as perioperative and critical care monitoring. Key measurements and findings commonly reported in echocardiografische assessments include left ventricular ejection fraction, chamber sizes, valvular anatomy and function, wall motion, and diastolic function.

Safety is favorable, with no ionizing radiation for standard TTE. Invasive risks are associated with TEE and sedation. Limitations include operator dependence and variable image quality due to body habitus or lung disease. Overall, echocardiografie remains a cornerstone of noninvasive cardiac imaging and clinical decision-making.