Echocardiography and Doppler are standard non-invasive techniques for assessing cardiac anatomy, pathology and function. New developments include transoesophageal echo, colour Doppler and stress echocardiography. This introductory text gives practical instruction to the trainee cardiologist, technician and internist on the basic principles of echo and Doppler, and of examination techniques. It then uses an integrated approach to echo and Doppler modalities in various cardiac disorders, such as valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease in adults and pericardiac disease. This integrated presentation illustrates the relative advantages and disadvantages of the particular modalities in disease processes, and permits a step-wise approach to clinical diagnosis and decision-making.
