Echocardiography can measure which of the following?

• A. Ejection Fraction
• B. Stroke Volume
• C. Valve Leaf Motion within the heart
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Echocardiography uses ultrasound to visualize the heart in real time and to quantify its function. You can determine how well the heart pumps by measuring ejection fraction, which compares how much blood is in the ventricle at the end of filling to how much is ejected with each beat. EF is computed from volumes obtained with 2D or 3D imaging (for example, using the Simpson method). Stroke volume is the actual amount of blood ejected per beat, and it can be calculated as EDV minus ESV from the volume measurements, or estimated from Doppler flow across the left ventricular outflow tract. Additionally, the motion of the valve leaflets is directly visible with echo; you can assess how the leaflets open and close, look for abnormal movement, and evaluate for stenosis or regurgitation using Doppler to measure blood flow abnormalities. Because echocardiography can provide all these assessments, all of the above can be measured.