“Echo,” in medical terminology, typically refers to echocardiography, a diagnostic technique used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart.

Echocardiography utilizes high-frequency sound waves, known as ultrasound, to create real-time images of the heart. During an echocardiogram, a small handheld device called a transducer is placed on the chest and emits sound waves that penetrate the chest wall and bounce off the heart structures. These sound waves produce echoes, which are then captured by the transducer and converted into detailed images of the heart on a monitor.

Echocardiography provides valuable information about the size, shape, and movement of the heart chambers, as well as the thickness and movement of the heart valves. It can also assess the function of the heart muscle and detect abnormalities such as fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion) or blood clots within the heart chambers.

There are different types of echocardiography, including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), which is the most common and involves placing the transducer on the chest surface, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which involves inserting the transducer into the esophagus to obtain closer and clearer images of the heart structures.

Echocardiography is a valuable tool in diagnosing and monitoring various heart conditions, including heart valve disorders, congenital heart defects, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. It is safe, non-invasive, and does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation, making it an essential component of cardiac imaging in clinical practice.