The UK's leading provider of Community Echocardiography

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ISO 9001
Established in
March 2001

A BSE Accredited Department

Member The NHS Confederation


SIGN Guidelines 2007

Management of Chronic Heart Failure

February 2007

Echocardiography (2.1.5)

Echocardiography is recommended in patients with suspected heart failure who have either a raised brain natriuretic peptide or N terminal-pro-BNP level or abnormal ECG result to confirm the diagnosis and establish the underlying cause.

The investigation should include:

  • A description of overall left ventricular systolic function together with any wall motion abnormalities
  • Assessment of diastolic function
  • Measurement of left ventricular wall thickness
  • Doppler assessment of any significant valve disease
  • Estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure, where possible

Echocardiography should be performed on modern high resolution equipment by suitably trained operators.

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