Errors in performance and interpretation of echocardiograms

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Abstract
Diagnostic ultrasound affords important information about cardiac structure and motion. However, because of the unique manner in which data are acquired and displayed during echocardiography, diagnostic errors and misinterpretations are not uncommon. This paper discusses the characteristic echocardiographic patterns of a variety of important cardiac conditions: mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation, aortic regrugitation, idio‐pathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, left atrial myxoma, pericardial effusion and right ventricular volume overload. Potential pitfalls in achieving the correct diagnosis in each of these conditions are emphasized, with illustrative examples of correct and incorrect interpretations. Good technique and appropriate clinical correlation are important in the performance of accurate ultrasound cardiac examinations.