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. 2007;34(4):431-8.

The origin of echocardiography: a tribute to Inge Edler

Siddharth Singh  1 , Abha Goyal
Affiliations

The origin of echocardiography: a tribute to Inge Edler

Siddharth Singh et al. Tex Heart Inst J. 2007.

Abstract

The original description of M-mode echocardiography in 1953, by Inge Edler (1911-2001) and his physicist friend Hellmuth Hertz, marked the beginning of a new diagnostic noninvasive technique. Edler used this technique primarily for the preoperative study of mitral stenosis and diagnosis of mitral regurgitation. His work was carried forward by cardiologists all over the world, who developed Doppler, 2-dimensional, contrast, and transesophageal echocardiography. These are now standard in cardiologic examinations. Edler also influenced neurologists and obstetricians at Lund University (Sweden) to use ultrasound in their fields. For his landmark discovery, Edler is recognized as the "Father of Echocardiography."

Keywords: Biography; Edler I; Hertz CH; echocardiography/history; history, 20th cent.; mitral valve stenosis/history; pericardial effusion/ultrasonography; ultrasonics/history.

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Figures

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Fig. 1 Inge Edler (left) and Carl Hellmuth Hertz, the cardiologist-physicist team that gave the world echocardiography, at a symposium in Lund, Sweden, 1977.(Photo from the private collection of Dr. Lars Edler, published by permission.)
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Fig. 2 Inge Edler is seen experimenting on calf hearts. With these, he proved that echoes—at first thought to be from the anterior wall of the left atrium—were actually from the mitral valve. This information was subsequently used by Edler in the diagnosis of valvular heart disease, one of the earliest applications of echocardiography. (Photo from the private collection of Dr. Lars Edler, published by permission.)
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Fig. 3 Inge Edler defends his thesis, 1961.(Photo from the private collection of Dr. Lars Edler, published by permission.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • The origin of echocardiography?
    Feigenbaum H. Feigenbaum H. Tex Heart Inst J. 2008;35(1):87-8; author reply 88-9. Tex Heart Inst J. 2008. PMID: 18427666 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

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