The Different Echocardiographic Windows and Protocol for Echocardiogram

This chapter deals with the procedure of performing the Echocardiogram to clinch or rule out pathology. A Protocol is necessary to methodically cover all Views in all Windows, so that no significant information is missed. Moreover, each View provides a different picture and hence a different information regarding the Heart. Time is of essence in doing the procedure due to two reasons: the first is, the longer the exposure to the ultrasound beam, the greater the chances for bioeffects. The second is, if many patients are scheduled in a busy setting. The standard time allotted to do the procedure is 30 min. A targeted Echocardiogram may take less time, and a complicated one, more time as the need be. Sometimes, as in Stress Echocardiogram, images have to be obtained within a minute in order to not lose findings of hypokinetic motion in the various views. Hence, it is very essential to follow a set Protocol in order not to miss important findings especially if multiple pathology is involved.