May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Heart Disease Echocardiogram aka Heart Ultrasound: What is it?
Echocardiogram aka Heart Ultrasound: What is it? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Could you please tell me if a persons ejection fraction can be found out by doing a ultra sound test?I waas told that a echo test had to be used. My doctor used a ultra sound.Thank you Yes. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It can detect the hemodynamic dimensions of the heart while it is pumping blood throughout the system. In older systems, 2 dimensions of the heart are detected but newer ones employ 3 dimensions. It is a very useful tool in cardiovascular diseases and can even detect minor heart defects in individuals w/ no symptoms. In fact, an echocardiogram is superior to the ECG in diagnosing myocardial infarction (heart attack). The ejection fraction is the volume of blood pumped out of the heart into the major blood vessels. In general, the normal range is >50-55%. I do hope this has appeased you somehow. I wish you well and take care always. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 29 April 2011 ) |
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