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Pulmonary hypertension assessment is a crucial cardiac ultrasound application, utilizing echocardiography to evaluate elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This non-invasive medical imaging technique helps diagnose and monitor pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition affecting the heart and lungs. Key parameters assessed include right ventricular size and function, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and pulmonary artery pressure…

An atrial thrombus is a blood clot that forms within the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. These clots often arise in conditions like atrial fibrillation, where irregular heartbeats lead to stagnant blood flow, increasing the risk of clot formation. Detecting atrial thrombi is crucial in cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) as they pose a significant…

In cardiac ultrasound, spontaneous echo contrast, commonly known as “smoke,” refers to a dynamic, swirling pattern of faint echoes within a cardiac chamber or great vessel. This phenomenon arises from the aggregation of red blood cells in areas of stagnant or low blood flow, leading to increased backscatter of ultrasound waves. Often observed in conditions…

An LV pseudoaneurysm is a contained rupture of the left ventricular wall, typically a serious complication following myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, or trauma. Unlike a true aneurysm, it lacks endocardial and myocardial layers, instead being walled off by thrombus and pericardium. This critical distinction is vital in cardiac ultrasound for accurate diagnosis, as rupture risk…

A true left ventricular (LV) aneurysm is a localized, scarred, and thinned segment of the left ventricular wall that bulges outward during both systole and diastole. Unlike a pseudoaneurysm, a true aneurysm contains all layers of the cardiac wall. It is typically a late complication of a transmural myocardial infarction, where necrotic myocardial tissue is…

Myocarditis findings in cardiac ultrasound often include global or regional wall motion abnormalities, indicating impaired heart muscle function. You may also observe myocardial edema, appearing as increased wall thickness with a ground-glass texture, alongside pericardial effusion. These sonographic markers are crucial for diagnosing myocarditis, an inflammatory heart condition. Early identification through cardiac ultrasound helps guide…

End-stage heart failure, in cardiac ultrasound, reveals profound structural and functional abnormalities. Key findings often include severe ventricular dilation, markedly reduced ejection fraction, significant wall motion abnormalities, and valvular regurgitation. Ultrasound helps assess chamber size, wall thickness, and contractility, guiding management and prognosis. Sonographic indicators of end-stage heart failure also encompass increased filling pressures, evidence…

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a cardiac condition characterized by the abnormal backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during systole, due to improper closure of the tricuspid valve. This inefficiency in the heart's right side can lead to increased pressure in the right atrium and systemic veins, affecting overall cardiac function.…

The E/e’ ratio in cardiac ultrasound is a critical non-invasive measure used to assess left ventricular diastolic function and filling pressures. It's calculated by dividing the early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E wave) by the early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e’ wave), reflecting the relationship between left atrial pressure and left ventricular relaxation. This ratio…