Developments in cardiovascular ultrasound. Part 3: Cardiac applications
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Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
C M Moran1, W N McDicken, P R Hoskins
1Department of Medical Physics & Medical Engineering, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK. carmel.moran@ed.ac.uk
Insights
Echocardiography, a key non-invasive tool, assesses cardiac disorders using Doppler ultrasound for flow reserve and output. Advanced techniques like 2D, 3D echo, and Doppler tissue imaging evaluate valve function and myocardial abnormalities, though quantitative perfusion assessment remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Ultrasound Technology
Background:
- Echocardiography is the primary non-invasive method for diagnosing cardiac disorders.
- Doppler ultrasound enables assessment of crucial hemodynamic parameters like coronary flow reserve and cardiac output.
- Various echocardiographic techniques are employed to evaluate valvular function and myocardial structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications of echocardiography in evaluating cardiac disorders.
- To highlight the capabilities of Doppler ultrasound and advanced imaging modalities in cardiac assessment.
- To identify areas of ongoing development, such as quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes 2D echocardiography for valve area assessment and myocardial wall analysis.
- Employs Doppler ultrasound for measuring flow reserve, cardiac output, and regurgitation severity.
- Incorporates Doppler tissue imaging for quantifying intra-myocardial velocities and 3D reconstruction for anatomical visualization.
- Leverages myocardial contrast agents for qualitative assessment of perfusion abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Echocardiography effectively assesses valvular stenosis severity through multiple methods (2D echo, pressure half-time, continuity equations, PISA).
- Regurgitation severity is estimated using color or pulsed Doppler.
- Myocardial abnormalities and wall velocities are assessed with 2D echo, M-mode, and Doppler tissue imaging.
- 3D reconstruction offers comprehensive cardiac anatomy visualization.
- Myocardial contrast agents aid in qualitative perfusion assessment.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiography remains a cornerstone in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics, offering a wide range of assessment capabilities.
- Advanced Doppler and 3D imaging techniques enhance the evaluation of cardiac structure and function.
- Quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging represents a future frontier in echocardiographic diagnostics.
Abstract:
Echocardiography is still the principal, non-invasive method of investigation for the evaluation of cardiac disorders. Using Doppler ultrasound, indices such as coronary flow reserve and cardiac output can be determined. The severity of valvular stenosis can be determined by the area of the valve, either directly from 2D echo, from pressure half-time calculations, from continuity equations or from the proximal isovelocity surface area method. Alternatively, the severity of regurgitation can be estimated by colour or pulsed ultrasound detection of the back-projection of the high-velocity jet into the chamber. Myocardial wall abnormalities can be assessed using 2D ultrasound, M-mode or analysis from the radio-frequency-ultrasound signal. Doppler tissue imaging can be used to quantify intra-myocardial wall velocities, and 3D reconstruction of cardiac images can provide visualisation of the complete cardiac anatomy from any orientation. The development of myocardial contrast agents and associated imaging techniques to enhance visualisation of these agents within the myocardium has aided qualitative assessment of myocardial perfusion abnormalities. However, quantitative myocardial perfusion has still to be realised.
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