Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

9-14-2026

Identifier

Bookshelf ID: NBK570575

Abstract

Since cardiac sonography was introduced in the 1950s, echocardiography has become the first-line noninvasive imaging modality for evaluating cardiac anatomy, physiology, and hemodynamic abnormalities in neonates, infants, and children. Echocardiography is indispensable for diagnosing congenital heart disease (CHD) because of its widespread availability, real-time capability, and minimal adverse effects. Unlike adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography often requires a detailed understanding of congenital heart defects and specialized techniques for obtaining high-quality images in small children who may have difficulty remaining still. The reliability of a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) depends on the performer’s skills and knowledge, adherence to standardized pediatric echocardiography protocols, optimal use of Doppler interrogation, and systematic interpretation of findings obtained from multiple acoustic windows. A comprehensive approach to image acquisition enables clinicians to recognize simple and complex congenital cardiac malformations early. Beyond anatomic evaluation, echocardiography is essential for assessing ventricular function and volumes, valvar stenosis or regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension. A comprehensive approach requires standardized views and sweeps to assess cardiac chambers, valves, septal defects, and outflow tracts, along with color flow mapping and Doppler assessment. Although several echocardiographic modalities exist, the vast majority of diagnostic evaluations rely on transthoracic echocardiography, making it the primary focus of the current article. Clinicians commonly care for children with suspected or diagnosed congenital heart disease, making an understanding of pediatric echocardiography principles essential for appropriate triage, diagnosis, and treatment. This review summarizes the core elements of transthoracic echocardiography, indications, clinical use, imaging protocols, and common pitfalls.

Journal Title

StatPearls

PubMed ID

34033337

Comments

This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits others to distribute the work, provided that the article is not altered or used commercially. You are not required to obtain permission to distribute this article, provided that you credit the author and journal.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570575/

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