The Rapidly Changing Environment of Pediatric Echocardiography The first ultrasound images of the heart were described in 1954; however, it was not until the late 1970s that pediatric cardiologists used any form of ultrasound. At that time, M-mode began to be seen as a useful tool for pediatric cardiologists. Pediatric cardiologists were able to decipher how to follow the course of a patent ductus arteriosus closure, estimate cavity size, prove mitral valve obstruction, and estimate valve gradients using only M-mode (Noonan, 2004). Two-dimensional echocardiographs and color-flow Doppler developed in the 1980s, and made a big difference in pediatric cardiology. Before the development of ultrasound, the only way to diagnoses heart disease
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Unfortunately, there is currently not enough data available to use this technology efficiently on pediatric patients (Kim, Park, & Eun, 2016). It is expected that over time there will be more extensive data available for use in pediatrics. This imaging technique is essential in monitoring the cardiovascular system of children undergoing chemotherapy. Childhood fitness and strenuous athletics also have a significant impact on the heart and these children should be monitored regularly, using traditional two-dimensional echocardiography with the addition of speckle tracking and strain rate. The pathologic effects of both cardiac and non-cardiac diseases that may be more closely and efficiently monitored with the use of speckle tracking and strain rate imaging (Kim, Park, & Eun, …show more content…
The ability to have accurate diastolic and systolic volumes gives a more objective assessment of ejection fraction, which is a valuable determinant in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Three-dimensional imaging can provide a more-detailed view of complex congenital deformities. It is possible to have improved accuracy in measurements of shunts, valves, and other anatomy with three-dimensional imaging. When three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging are added to pediatric echocardiographic studies, it makes it easier to meet the challenges of evaluating patients with higher heart rates such as neonates (Riccabona, 2014). This modality is also becoming essential in fetal echocardiography, “allowing rapid data acquisition and extensive image post-processing with opportunities for both anatomic and functional assessment” (Kim, Park, & Eun,
Unfortunately, there is currently not enough data available to use this technology efficiently on pediatric patients (Kim, Park, & Eun, 2016). It is expected that over time there will be more extensive data available for use in pediatrics. This imaging technique is essential in monitoring the cardiovascular system of children undergoing chemotherapy. Childhood fitness and strenuous athletics also have a significant impact on the heart and these children should be monitored regularly, using traditional two-dimensional echocardiography with the addition of speckle tracking and strain rate. The pathologic effects of both cardiac and non-cardiac diseases that may be more closely and efficiently monitored with the use of speckle tracking and strain rate imaging (Kim, Park, & Eun, …show more content…
The ability to have accurate diastolic and systolic volumes gives a more objective assessment of ejection fraction, which is a valuable determinant in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Three-dimensional imaging can provide a more-detailed view of complex congenital deformities. It is possible to have improved accuracy in measurements of shunts, valves, and other anatomy with three-dimensional imaging. When three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging are added to pediatric echocardiographic studies, it makes it easier to meet the challenges of evaluating patients with higher heart rates such as neonates (Riccabona, 2014). This modality is also becoming essential in fetal echocardiography, “allowing rapid data acquisition and extensive image post-processing with opportunities for both anatomic and functional assessment” (Kim, Park, & Eun,