Echocardiography

Echocardiography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic tool essential to the practice of modern cardiac surgery. Transthoracic and transesophageal are the routes via which echocardiography is performed within the practice of cardiac surgery. Echocardiography allows real-time visualization of the structure and function of the heart, heart valves, great vessels, and pericardial space. Most society guidelines for diagnosing and treating cardiac pathology are based at least in part on echocardiographic findings. Outlined in this chapter are the fundamental principles of echocardiography as well as the hallmark diagnostic features of common pathologies treated by cardiac surgeons.