Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Principles of transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation
Anita C Boyd1, Nelson B Schiller2, Liza Thomas1
1South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Corner Elizabeth/Goulburn Street, NSW 2170, Australia.
Insights
Transthoracic echocardiography is a key noninvasive cardiac imaging tool. This review covers its traditional and advanced techniques for diagnosing and understanding cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary noninvasive imaging modality in cardiology.
- It plays a crucial role in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases and assessing prognosis and pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the principles of transthoracic echocardiography.
- To discuss traditional and advanced imaging techniques, their applications, and research findings.
Main Methods:
- Review of established and emerging echocardiographic techniques.
- Includes two-dimensional, colour, spectral Doppler, tissue Doppler, myocardial deformation, torsion, stress, contrast, and 3D echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of various echocardiographic modalities.
- Analysis of advantages, disadvantages, clinical applications, and prognostic value.
Conclusions:
- Advances in echocardiography continue to enhance cardiovascular diagnosis and understanding.
- Technical improvements are crucial for future progress in cardiovascular medicine.
Abstract:
Transthoracic echocardiography is the most widely used imaging test in cardiology. Although completely noninvasive, transthoracic echocardiography has a well-established role in the diagnosis of numerous cardiovascular diseases, and also provides critical qualitative and quantitative information on their prognosis and pathophysiological processes. The aim of this Review is to outline the broad principles of transthoracic echocardiography, including the traditional techniques of two-dimensional, colour, and spectral Doppler echocardiography, and newly developed advances including tissue Doppler, myocardial deformation imaging, torsion, stress echocardiography, contrast and three-dimensional echocardiography. The advantages and disadvantages, clinical application, prognostic value, and salient research findings of each modality are described. Advances in complex imaging techniques are expected to continue unabated, and this Review highlights technical improvements that will influence the diagnosis and improve our understanding of cardiovascular function and disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...
01:30Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies