ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Echocardiography is a technique that uses ultrasound waves to examine the anatomy and function of the heart. it provides information particularly on the contractility, morphology of the heart valves, and on the blood flow inside the chambers. 
It is a non-invasive procedure, that has now become irreplaceable for the diagnostic and clinical assessment for patient with cardiac diseases (and follow-up). The examination is carried out via the “transthoracic” ultrasound technique which uses a specific transducer that once placed on the thorax, it emits a series of sound waves called ultrasound. The waves, once they bounce back they are processed by the device which then creates the exact picture of the heart structure in real-time.
The examination can be carried out both under basal conditions of rest as well as after physical pharmacological stress, or by using contrast agents that are harmless to the patient’s health.
Thus, it is possible to very simply and quickly acquire all the necessary information and an overall assessment of the cardiac function.
The 3D Echocardiography (three-dimensional) has been recently introduced which allows an even better evaluation of the heart. The method has been proved particularly useful in the study of the internal structure of the heart (heart valves and septa).