[Two dimensional echocardiography. Its main clinical applications (author's transl)].

The authors, who have experience of more than 1500 bidimensional echocardiographic recordings, underline the rapidity, safety and value of the method in cardiovascular disorders. The two-dimension echo provides better evaluation of the mitral area, right cavities and tricuspid valves. It is very sensitive in detecting mitral valve prolapse, pericardial effusion, intracavitary tumours and dissecting aneurysms and permits a detailed study of abnormal segmental contractions in ischaemic heart disease. Spatial and dynamic visualization coupled, if required, with contrast echocardiography is also of considerable help for the diagnosis of congenital cardiopathies.