Clinical echocardiography

In the recent decades echocardiography has grown to the most widely used cardiac diagnostic tool for both cardiac and non-cardiac clinicians. It allows for comprehensive assessment of a heart, including either cardiac or valvular function as well as morphologic evaluation. This book, written by the distinguish authorities in the field of echocardiography, provides an up-to-date resource of knowledge about methodology and interpretation of echocardiograms. Prof. Yuriy Ivaniv and prof. Nelya Oryshchyn from the Lviv National Medical University in a clear narration described the theoretical principles of echocardiography sharing their long-term clinical experience. Topics in this book include the essential elements of ultrasound physics, cardiac sonographic anatomy and the acquisition techniques of the main echocardiographic views. The book describes the utility of echocardiography in almost all cardiac diseases with a practical, problem-based approach. It discusses all echocardiographic techniques, including transesophageal and 3D echocardiography as well as tissue doppler imaging and speckle-tracking echocardiography. The textbook presents a concise summary of techniques, diagnostic criteria, nomenclature and classification of diseases by means of echocardiography. It is illustrated with pictures covering the wide range of cardiac conditions, including acute medicine, in which echocardiography plays a pivotal role. The book also includes short tests for self-checking. This book is especially useful for cardiologists and residents who want to understand the best way to make sense of the echo examination. Assoc. Prof. Wiktoria Wojciechowska MD, PhD Senior Cardiac Physiologist First Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Arterial Hypertension Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland