Utility of echocardiography in the evaluation of individuals with cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Echocardiography is a powerful tool for assessing systolic and diastolic heart failure, the specific aetiology of the cardiomyopathy, assessing response to treatment, and categorising prognosis. It is non-invasive, relatively low cost, does not expose patients to ionising radiation, and serial studies can be done at the bedside. Thus echocardiography continues to have advantages over competing technologies.