Echocardiogram in Congestive Heart Failure

1. Indication
   1. Every patient with Congestive Heart Failure!
   2. Distinguishes
      1. Systolic Dysfunction
      2. Diastolic Dysfunction
   3. Identify underlying valve disease
   4. Identify underlying ischemic heart damage
   5. Quantify Congestive Heart Failure severity
2. Assessment
   1. Chamber size (diastolic and end-systolic dimensions)
      1. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
      2. Left Atrial Enlargement
   2. Ejection Fraction (EF)
      1. Systolic Dysfunction: EF < 45%
      2. Diastolic Dysfunction (isolated): EF > 50%
      3. Echocardiogram accuracy is +/- 5% at best
   3. Heart Valve Function and dysfunction
   4. Wall thickness and wall motion abnormalities
3. Findings consistent with Diastolic Dysfunction
   1. Ejection Fraction >50% (see above)
   2. Abnormal pulmonary venous flow pattern
   3. Measurement of Tau (LV pressure decay)
      1. Assesses left ventricular stiffness
      2. Prolonged isovolemic relaxation time
      3. Prolonged deceleration time
   4. E-A Wave Ratio (Trans-mitral valve blood flow)
      1. Components
         1. E-Wave (LV filling) Peak Flow velocity
         2. A-Wave (atrial contraction) Peak Flow velocity
      2. Interpretation
         1. Normal: 1.5
         2. Early Diastolic Dysfunction: <1.0
         3. Late Diastolic Dysfunction: >2.0
4. Special Problems
   1. Body habitus too large for adequate exam
      1. Nuclear Ventriculogram (MUGA Scan)