Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Echocardiography provides images of the heart muscle, blood flow and valves and is essential for assessing heart function. New techniques such as three-dimensional echocardiography and strain analysis allow accurate measurement of heart volumes and contractility useful for the early detection of cardiomyopathy and coronary disease and is available in rooms. Trans-oesophageal echocardiography, performed at St Vincent’s Hospital, is useful for close assessment of the heart valves and in certain conditions such as atrial fibrillation and prior to heart surgery.