Echocardiogram: Usefulness, Types, Interpretation

This is the first chapter in the second section, which exclusively deals with the Echocardiogram machine, procedure and usefulness in identification of pathology. In this chapter, the reader is introduced to the salient features of the Echocardiogram machine, the types of the Echocardiogram, its lack of significant bioeffects when used prudently, its versatility in use including portability, its usefulness in various clinical and operative situations, its utility in identifying varied cardiac pathology, and its role in Emergency situations. The modification of the transducers to suit various scenarios and to bypass the objects that block its transmission like bone, air etc., to obtain an optimal image, is discussed in this chapter. The range in frequency (Megahertz) in the different transducers is also mentioned. Thus, after reading this chapter, the reader will have a general idea of the Echocardiogram machine, and its usefulness in various situations may it be a hospital setting or outpatient clinical setting.