Echocardiography. Basics for the primary care physician.

Echocardiography is commonly performed to assess aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, myocardial infarction, endocarditis, and valvular regurgitation. We have found that the more defined and appropriate a request for an echocardiogram is, the better the technician and interpreter can relate observations to the requesting physician. Thus, thorough understanding of the indications and limitations of echocardiography by the primary care physician will result in improved patient care.