Pediatric Echocardiography Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Pediatric Echocardiography - Research Paper Example The researcher states that due to the complexity in the mechanics, anatomy, and physiology of the heart, exact diagnosis of the cardiac condition is critical for management of cardiac disease. In the pediatric age group, the spectra of cardiac diseases are wide and also complex and hence arises the need for the reliable investigating tool. Further advances in this technology a couple of decades ago have led to more reliable and accurate forms of echocardiography, the 3D imaging, Doppler echocardiography, and tissue Doppler. These advances have posed a challenge to echocardiographers who need to be on their tiptoes in acquiring knowledge and also maintaining their skills by keeping abreast with the latest technology and changes. In this article, pediatric echocardiography will be discussed with references to its uses, limitations, impact on the professionals, impact on the patients, feasibility, and accessibility. Creating images of the heart using ultrasonic waves is known as echocar diography. The images of the heart are created using 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional or Doppler ultrasound. The test is routinely used in a clinical set up for screening, diagnosis, and management of various diseases of the heart. In the current medical era, echocardiography has become the primary imaging tool for the evaluation, diagnosis, assessment, and management of congenital and acquired cardiac disease in newborns, infants, children, and adolescents. The most ideal tool for assessment of cardiac problems is transthoracic echocardiography. The procedure is portable, efficacious and noninvasive and provides the detailed overview of the various anatomical, physiologic, and hemodynamic information of the heart. The various types of echocardiogram currently used are 2D echocardiogram, pediatric transesophageal echocardiogram, fetal echocardiogram, stress echocardiogram and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram. Pediatric echocardiography is unique when compared to adult echoc ardiography. There is a wide spectrum of diseases. Many of the cardiac conditions encountered are congenital.