[Clinical evaluation of a miniaturized two-dimensional echocardiograph. Ultrasonic stethoscope]

An autonomous, miniaturised, semi-automatic linear-array system of real time imaging is described. This device was used for over one year in the coronary care unit, in the out-patient clinic and in the ward at the patient's bedside. Comparison with echocardiographic measurements obtained at M-mode echocardiography showed a slight tendency towards over estimation, especially of the dimensions of the left ventricle. The possibility of obtaining a rapid dynamic scan of the cardiac structures with the aid of an ultrasonic stethoscope will undoubtedly have the same stimulating effect on the development of miniaturised systems of real time imaging as the perfectioning of linear array system by Bom in 1971 had on two dimensional echocardiography.