Glossary of Childhood Onset Heart Disease
Based upon the needs and requests of our readers, we
have created this glossary to provide accurate and concise
information for families and individuals. The following represents a
"work in progress". Please
contact us to submit items you would like to see included on
this page.
Imaging Techniques
Echocardiography
The use of ultrasound beams to visualize the heart and blood
vessels. Complete studies may take over an hour to image all of the
important structures, limited examinations may only require a few
minutes. In small infants and toddlers, sedation may be necessary to
obtain reliable information.
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Intravascular Ultrasound
A new investigational technique where ultrasound crystals are placed
on a catheter (during a heart catheterization) to see blood vessels
"from the inside". This technique is particularly helpful in cases
of complex narrowing (stenoses), as may occur in the aorta
(coarctation), or pulmonary arteries.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
In congenital heart disease, MRI technology uses the body's magnetic
field and high-tech computers to "reconstruct" images of the heart,
blood vessels, lungs and trachea. MRI can be used in virtually all
patients, unless there are metal structures (e.g., pacemaker) in the
chest.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
An ultrasound technique where the ultrasound probe (about as large
as a pinky finger) is placed in the esophagus to "look" at the heart
from behind. Transesophageal echocardiography is much more sensitive
than transthoracic (across the chest) echocardiography, as overlying
structures (bone and lungs) do not obscure the view. This technique
requires sedation in virtually all cases.
Thoracoscopy
Visualization of the chest through a videoscope.
Three-D Echocardiography
Current echo technology allows the echo to be viewed in only two
dimensions. Three-dimensional echocardiography allows the physician
to "reconstruct" the heart and view the structural defects at any
angle.
Transtelephonic Echocardiography
Transtelephonic echocardiography is a new technique by which
echocardiograms can be performed at one site and transmitted over
telephone or internet connections to a distant site, where an
experienced echocardiographer can view the images "on-line". This
allows echocardiograms to be done at distant sites rather than
transporting newborns or critically ill children to tertiary medical
centers.
- Other Articles in This Section
- Associated Conditions
- Cath Lab Procedures
- Imaging Techniques
- Medical Personnel /Services
- New Strategies / Techniques
- Surgical Complications
- Surgical Procedures
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