The study allows us to assess the current state of the atria, ventricles, heart valves and feeding vessels, which gives an objective picture of the clinical picture of the disease. Sometimes it is prescribed as a preventive measure, because it is more informative than an electrocardiogram. Echocardiography abroad is performed using innovative ultrasound devices, which guarantees the accuracy of the data obtained and increases the effectiveness of diagnosis.
Indications for echocardiography
Echocardiography, or ultrasound of the heart, is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require any training from the patient. It is usually prescribed after receiving suspicious chest X-ray results and a standard electrocardiogram. Ultrasound is more informative, so it helps to clarify the presence or absence of suspected pathological processes.
In foreign clinics, echocardiography is preferred to be performed as the primary diagnosis. It is also included in the "check up" package diagnostics programs with a cardiological focus.
Echocardiography can identify the following pathologies:
- Congenital and acquired heart defects
- Endocarditis (including those of infectious origin)
- Myo- and pericarditis
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Coronary heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Acute and chronic heart failure
- PE (pulmonary embolism)
- Respiratory hypertension
- Atherosclerosis
- Tumors of the heart
Echocardiography is prescribed as part of a preoperative examination, as well as to determine the dynamics of treatment in order to correct therapeutic regimens.
How is echocardiography performed abroad?
In foreign clinics, the procedure is performed on high-tech ultrasound devices with the ability to enlarge and detail the image.
During the study, the patient is positioned on a couch in a supine position on his left side. Ultrasound sensors of a specific shape are installed on the surface of the breast. To improve the contact with the tissues, a gel guide is pre-applied to the skin. During the visualization, the doctor monitors the process on the monitor, moving the sensors if necessary. Echocardiography lasts up to 20 minutes.
After the procedure, foreign doctors will give you a thorough interpretation of the examination results, select an effective treatment for the diagnosed pathology and give advice on preventing cardiac pathologies in the future.
