EchocardiographyThe role of this noninvasive testin the geriatric population (PDF)

Echocardiography provides extensive information about the morphology, function, and physiology of cardiac structures. The noninvasive and portable nature of echocardiography makes it a reasonable first or second diagnostic test when cardiac pathology is suspected in an older patient. The use of echocardiography for the assessment of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, aortic valve disease, mitral annular calcification, atrial fibrillation, and stroke is discussed. The authors present a practical guide for the use of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography as well as Doppler imaging in a geriatric population.