Noninvasive diagnosis of cardiovascular disease using ultrasound imaging

Drug abuse causes a variety of cardiovascular complications that can be diagnosed with cardiac ultrasound imaging, including valvular disorders and ventricular dysfunction. The basic principles of cardiac ultrasound imaging, including fundamental engineering principles applicable to the health care environment, are described in this article. The basic modes of imaging--two-dimensional imaging, M-mode, Doppler, and color Doppler--are discussed as are applications related to cardiac ultrasound: transesophageal echocardiography and peripheral vascular imaging. The article closes with examples of technologic developments expected to arrive in this decade.