Adult Echocardiography (AE) key terms

The percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each heartbeat, calculated as stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume. A key measure of systolic function.

The volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in a single beat, typically calculated as the difference between end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. It reflects both loading conditions and contractility.

The total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, equal to stroke volume multiplied by heart rate. It is a core indicator of overall circulatory performance.

The degree of ventricular stretch at the end of diastole, often estimated by end-diastolic volume or filling pressures. Increased preload generally increases stroke volume within physiologic limits.

The resistance or load the ventricle must overcome to eject blood during systole, influenced by vascular resistance, arterial pressure, and wall stress. Higher afterload tends to reduce stroke volume and ejection fraction.

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles relax and fill with blood, encompassing isovolumic relaxation, rapid filling, diastasis, and atrial contraction. Diastolic function is assessed with Doppler and tissue Doppler.

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, the distance the tricuspid annulus moves toward the apex during systole, measured by M-mode. It estimates right ventricular longitudinal systolic function.

Left atrial volume divided by body surface area, used as a marker of chronic left ventricular filling pressure and diastolic dysfunction. Normal values are roughly below 34 mL/m².

The property of certain crystals to change shape when an electric current is applied, generating ultrasound waves, and to generate an electric charge when deformed by returning sound waves.

The maximum Doppler frequency shift that can be displayed unambiguously by pulsed-wave Doppler, equal to half the pulse repetition frequency. Shifts above it cause aliasing.

Ambiguous display of Doppler velocities that exceed the Nyquist limit, appearing as wraparound of the spectral waveform or color scale to the opposite side. Continuous-wave Doppler is not subject to aliasing.

The resistance of a medium to sound propagation, determined by tissue density and sound speed. Differences in impedance at tissue interfaces produce reflections that create ultrasound images.

The progressive loss of ultrasound energy as it travels through tissue due to absorption, reflection, and scattering. It increases with depth and higher transducer frequencies.

The ability to distinguish two structures lying along the path of the ultrasound beam, determined primarily by transducer frequency and pulse duration. Higher frequencies improve axial resolution.

The number of complete two-dimensional images generated per second. It depends on depth and sector width and affects temporal resolution, which matters for fast-moving structures.

A Doppler mode that continuously transmits and receives ultrasound along a line, detecting the highest velocities anywhere along the beam without aliasing. Used for high-velocity flow such as aortic stenosis.

A Doppler mode that transmits short pulses and listens at a specific depth (sample volume), providing depth-specific velocity information but limited by the Nyquist limit and aliasing.

Superimposes color on the two-dimensional image to display direction and velocity of blood flow, with color assigned by flow toward or away from the transducer. Useful for detecting regurgitation and shunts.

A Doppler technique that records low-velocity, high-amplitude myocardial motion rather than blood flow, used to measure annular velocities such as e' and s' for diastolic and systolic function.

An echocardiographic method that follows the movement of unique acoustic speckle patterns within myocardium across frames to calculate strain and deformation independent of Doppler angle.

A one-dimensional recording of motion along a single line of the ultrasound beam over time, offering high temporal resolution for measuring chamber dimensions and valve motion.

A standard view obtained with the transducer at the cardiac apex, displaying both ventricles and atria with the septum vertical. It is used for chamber sizing, function, and Doppler interrogation.

The narrowest cross-sectional width of a regurgitant jet immediately downstream of the regurgitant orifice, measured by color Doppler. Width correlates with regurgitation severity.

A method that measures the radius of the hemispheric flow convergence region proximal to a regurgitant orifice to calculate effective regurgitant orifice area and regurgitant volume.

The time required for the peak pressure gradient across a valve to fall by half. It is used to estimate mitral valve area in stenosis and to assess regurgitation severity.

A calculation based on conservation of flow that uses the stroke volume in the left ventricular outflow tract to derive aortic valve area by dividing by the aortic jet velocity-time integral.

The average pressure difference across a valve during flow, derived from the Doppler velocity spectrum using the Bernoulli equation. It reflects stenosis severity and relates to flow.

The ratio of early mitral inflow velocity (E) to early diastolic tissue Doppler annular velocity (e'), used to estimate left ventricular filling pressures noninvasively.

An estimate of pulmonary artery systolic pressure derived from the tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity plus estimated right atrial pressure, used to evaluate pulmonary hypertension.

A genetic myocardial disease characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, often asymmetric septal, with diastolic dysfunction and possible dynamic outflow tract obstruction.

A life-threatening condition in which pericardial fluid raises intrapericardial pressure, impairing ventricular filling. Echocardiography shows chamber collapse and respiratory variation in flow velocities.

Pericardial scarring and stiffness that restrict ventricular filling, producing diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic function. Findings include pericardial thickening and respiratory septal bounce.

Displacement of one or both mitral leaflets more than 2 mm beyond the annular plane into the left atrium during systole, often associated with myxomatous degeneration and mitral regurgitation.

A congenital anomaly in which the aortic valve has two cusps instead of three, predisposing to aortic stenosis, regurgitation, and aortopathy. It is often identified by a football-shaped systolic opening.

A congenital opening in the atrial septum allowing left-to-right shunting, which can cause right heart enlargement. Echocardiography with color Doppler and contrast identifies the defect.

A transient stress-related cardiomyopathy with apical ballooning and basal hyperkinesis in the absence of obstructive coronary disease, typically resolving over days to weeks.

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space, detected as an echo-free space around the heart. Large or rapidly accumulating effusions can cause tamponade.