The gold standard for noninvasive imaging in congenital heart disease: echocardiography

Abstract

Purpose of review: Echocardiography in pediatric and congenital heart disease is a key diagnostic technique in patients with congenital heart disease. Due to new technological developments, it has become a rapidly evolving field.

Recent findings: In this review, we focus on recent developments in standardization and validation of standard techniques in pediatric and congenital echocardiography. This is mainly related to standardization of image acquisition and normalization of measurements for body size. The rest of the review is focused on the application of three-dimensional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and Speqle tracking techniques to pediatric heart disease.

Summary: New developments in standardization of echocardiography, the introduction of three-dimensional echocardiography and new functional techniques such as tissue Doppler and Speqle tracking strengthen the position of pediatric echocardiography as the most important diagnostic tool for patients with congenital heart disease.