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Echocardiogram

Meaning

An echocardiogram, commonly termed an “echo,” is a non-invasive, clinical diagnostic imaging technique that utilizes ultrasound waves to generate real-time, dynamic visualizations of the heart’s internal structure, its valves, and the patterns of blood flow. This essential tool allows cardiologists to precisely assess critical functional parameters, including the ejection fraction, chamber dimensions, and any abnormalities in myocardial wall motion. In the context of endocrinology, the echo is a crucial assessment for patients with specific hormonal disorders, such as hyperthyroidism or growth hormone excess, which are known to exert significant and potentially detrimental effects on cardiac morphology and overall performance.