2014 Volume 45 Issue 4 Pages 175-182
Two-dimensional Echocardiographic imaging and Doppler data are established as noninvasive useful imaging for patients with cardiovascular disease. In addition to these standard echocardiographic modalities, advances in imaging technology over the past few years also allow more sophisticated image analysis and display, including modalities such as three-dimensional (3D) and strain by speckle-tracking imaging. Stress echocardiography is performed for detection of myocardial ischemia and viability, and it is used for patients with structure heart disease in recent years. Real-time 3D transesophagial echocardiography is allows visualization of cardiac structures such as the mitral valve, aortic valve, and atrial septum defect. In addition, echocardiography has moved beyond the diagnostic imaging laboratory into the interventional cardiology arena, where it now is an integral component of transcatheter interventions for structural heart disease.