Echocardiogram in Congestive Heart Failure
Aka: Echocardiogram in Congestive Heart Failure, Echocardiogram in CHF, Echocardiogram in Systolic Dysfunction, Echocardiogram in Diastolic Dysfunction, E-A Wave Ratio, Measurement of Tau
II. Indication
- Every patient with Congestive Heart Failure!
- Distinguishes
- Identify underlying valve disease
- Identify underlying ischemic heart damage
- Quantify Congestive Heart Failure severity
III. Assessment
- Chamber size (diastolic and end-systolic dimensions)
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Left Atrial Enlargement
- Ejection Fraction (EF)
- Systolic Dysfunction: EF < 45%
- Diastolic Dysfunction (isolated): EF > 50%
- Echocardiogram accuracy is +/- 5% at best
- Heart Valve Function and dysfunction
- Wall thickness and wall motion abnormalities
- Parasternal long axis view
- Mitral valve leaflet at maximal opening >13 mm distance from septum suggests Ejection Fraction <30%
- Ejection fraction can be estimated visually (tilt probe to include cardiac apex)
- Parasternal short axis view below mitral valve
- Ejection fraction can be estimated visually
IV. Findings: Diastolic Dysfunction
- Ejection Fraction >50% (see above)
- Abnormal pulmonary venous flow pattern
- Measurement of Tau (LV pressure decay)
- Assesses left ventricular stiffness
- Prolonged isovolemic relaxation time
- Prolonged deceleration time
- E-A Wave Ratio (Trans-mitral valve blood flow)
- Components
- Interpretation
- Normal: 1.5
- Early Diastolic Dysfunction: <1.0
- Late Diastolic Dysfunction: >2.0
V. Special Problems
- Body habitus too large for adequate exam
VI. Resources
- Echocardiographer.org