What does the heart ultrasound show? | How can heart muscle inflammation be detected?

What does the heart ultrasound show?

Heart ultrasound, also called echocardiography, has the advantage that it can be performed very quickly and easily in acute situations. Thus, a first impression of the condition of the heart can be gained within a very short time. Based on the assessment of the ultrasound examiner, further diagnostic procedures or an immediate initiation of therapy can then be ordered.

In the case of inflammation of the heart muscle, the cardiac echo is usually initially used to rule out other cardiac causes (originating from the heart). The inflammation itself can only be detected in a few cases, so a cardiac ultrasound often shows an inconspicuous finding. Some unspecific signs may nevertheless indicate heart muscle inflammation.

These include limited function of the left ventricle. This can be recognized, for example, by the fact that the heart muscles in the affected area do not contract sufficiently. In addition, a large portion of the blood that enters the left ventricle is not pumped out of the heart.

Regional wall movement disorders can also be detected. They also indicate a malfunction of the heart musculature. If the inflammation of the heart muscle is accompanied by an effusion in the pericardium, this can be recognized as a rim around the heart.

What does the ECG show for myocarditis?

Myocarditis usually has very unspecific symptoms, some of which are specific to the heart. Since the symptoms are different, the ECG can also vary greatly. In the ECG, disturbances of the heart rhythm are particularly noticeable.

For this reason, forms of myocarditis that are associated with cardiac rhythm disturbances are particularly easy to recognize. This rhythmogenic disturbance can take on all forms, from a changed beat speed (tachycardia = too fast heartbeat) to complicated arrhythmias. The arrhythmias can affect both the atria and the ventricles or both together.

A distinction between the different forms is possible by means of an ECG. Other abnormalities in the ECG are similar to those of a heart attack. In this case, the distance between the S-wave and the T-wave may be reduced.

This is known as ST depression. Negativation of the T-wave is also possible. Further disturbances of the excitation line can also be found in the ECG. For example, if the electrical signal is no longer conducted into both heart chambers, this is called a thigh block (if the right heart chamber is no longer activated, a right thigh block is present).