A pediatric echocardiogram is an essential tool for evaluating the structure and function of patients in the pediatric age group; it helps examine the heart and detect possible congenital or acquired abnormalities.
What is an echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound, meaning sound waves, to create images of the heart.
This procedure allows cardiologists to observe the heart’s movement in real time, evaluate its structures, and analyze blood flow within them.
An echocardiogram uses a transducer that sends out ultrasound waves, which bounce off the structures of the heart and are picked up by the same transducer, creating real-time moving images.
There are different types of echocardiograms, and their selection depends on the clinical needs of the patient and the level of detail required in the image.
Within cardiology, the echocardiogram helps detect structural heart diseases, valvular disorders, congenital defects, and cardiomyopathies, among others.
Pediatric echocardiogram
The pediatric echocardiogram is a test that specifically evaluates the hearts of pediatric patients, from newborns to adolescents.
The importance of performing these tests in children is that, unlike adults, they may present various congenital heart diseases that require detailed evaluation from the earliest stages of life. Pediatric echocardiography, therefore, becomes a crucial tool for early detection of these conditions.
Congenital heart diseases are structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth and are responsible for various complications ranging from defects in the heart walls to heart murmurs.
In addition, congenital heart diseases are conditions that occur frequently, making it important to perform an echocardiogram in newborns who present with respiratory difficulty, cyanosis, or heart murmurs.
Early detection with a pediatric echocardiogram is crucial, as many of these conditions require surgical or medical intervention within the first weeks of life.
Echocardiogram
In the pediatric setting, an echocardiogram not only allows evaluation of the heart’s structure but also its function. One of the main objectives of this test is to assess how the heart is working, including whether it pumps blood effectively and whether the valves open and close properly.
There are various types of echocardiograms used in pediatrics:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE): the most common type, this method allows two-dimensional images to be obtained through the chest, evaluating the anatomy and blood flow of the heart in real time.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): when chest images are not clear, this method may be used. It involves inserting a probe into the child’s esophagus to obtain more detailed images of the heart; the benefit is higher image resolution, but it is a more invasive procedure and usually requires anesthesia or sedation.
- Doppler echocardiogram: used to evaluate blood flow within the heart and major vessels; it helps detect valve regurgitation or identify whether there is obstruction to blood flow.
For all these reasons, pediatric echocardiography is an essential tool for the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of heart diseases in children, helping pediatric cardiologists make informed decisions regarding each patient’s treatment and follow-up.
To make an accurate diagnosis, both an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram may be needed, since the electrocardiogram measures the heart’s electrical activity, which the echocardiogram cannot.
Pediatric cardiologist near me
At ABC Medical Center’s Pediatric Heart Center, we have a team of highly trained specialists in pediatric echocardiography, dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care for all your pediatric cardiac imaging needs.
Our pediatric cardiologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and the most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as congenital heart diseases, atrial or ventricular septal defects, Tetralogy of Fallot, and more.
Fuentes:
Elsevier, Childrens.com, MedlinePlus
