Cardiovascular system Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an exam that uses ultrasound to evaluate the heart. In the transthoracic echocardiogram, a transducer is placed over the patient’s thorax with a gel. There is emission of ultrasound waves and these are collected back (echo), so defining moving heart images, enabling to determine alterations in contraction (ventricular function), to evaluate heart valves (which help the blood to circulate inside the hear and of some arteries), to evaluate the aorta (largest artery in the body), and to measure the size of the cavities, among others. The Doppler effect is also used in the colored manner to verify the blood flow, helping to identify valve issues and to measure pressure.

The transesophageal echocardiogram follows the same principle of the transthoracic echo, but a small probe (transducer) is inserted in the mouth, until the esophagus. This exam enables more detailed images, as there is no interference of other structures that are located between the thoracic wall and the heart (for example, lungs). It is indicated to better evaluate the heart valves, to diagnose aortic problems (aneurysms and dissection), and to identify the presence of clots in the heart.

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