see also Transesophageal echocardiography.
An echocardiogram, often referred to as a cardiac echo or simply an echo, is a sonogram of the heart. (It is not abbreviated as ECG, because that is an abbreviation for an electrocardiogram.) Echocardiography uses standard two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to create images of the heart.
Neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy, may appear compatible with an MI on echocardiography, yet, troponin levels are typically lower (often < 2.8 ng/ml) than would be predicted given the level of myocardial impairment.
Blood cultures and LP may identify the infectious organism in mycotic aneurysms. Patients with suspected infectious aneurysm(s) should undergo echocardiography to look for signs of endocarditis.
For cardiogenic brain embolism diagnosis, most centers rely on echocardiography (without transesophageal echocardiography ability). Using restricted criteria (i.e., excluding mitral valve prolapse), about 10% of patients with ischemic stroke will have potential cardiac source detected by echo, and most of these patients have other manifestations of cardiac disease. In stroke patients without clinical heart disease, only 1.5% will have a positive echo; the yield is higher in younger patients without cerebrovascular disease 1).
May be used for right atrial catheter placement 2).