Etymed
echocardiography
Definition
The process of recording and visualizing the heart's structure and function using ultrasound waves
Clinical context
A 65-year-old male presents to the emergency department with sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath. His vital signs show blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg and heart rate of 110 beats per minute. An echocardiography reveals a large left ventricular thrombus with significant systolic dysfunction. The patient is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and requires immediate anticoagulation therapy.
Mnemonic
ECHO = Echoes of the heart's beating, using sound waves to visualize cardiac motion and structure