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This book has been published in good faith that the contents provided by the author contained herein are original, and is intended for educational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of information, the publisher and the author specifically disclaim any damage, liability, or loss incurred, directly or indirectly, from the use or application of any of the contents of this work. If not specifically stated, all figures and tables are courtesy of the author.

First Edition : 2005

Second Edition : 2007

Third Edition : 2012

Ever since the second edition of Echo Made Easy was published five years back, there have been tremendous advancements in the field of echocardiography. To name a few, three-dimensional technique, tissue-Doppler study and myocardial-contrast imaging have gained considerable popularity. Nevertheless, there remains an unmet need for a simplistic book on basic echocardiography for the uninitiated reader. It gives me immense pleasure to present to cardiology students, resident doctors, nurses and technicians working in cardiology units, this vastly improved third edition of Echo Made Easy.

The initial chapters will help the readers to understand the principles of conventional echo and color-Doppler imaging, the various echo-windows and the normal views of cardiac structures. The abnormalities observed in different forms of heart disease including congenital, valvular, coronary, hypertensive, myocardial, endocardial and pericardial diseases have been discussed under separate sections. Due emphasis has been laid on diagnostic pitfalls, differential diagnosis, causative factors and clinical significance.

Those who have read the previous editions of Echo Made Easy will definitely notice a remarkable improvement in the layout of the book. Readers will appreciate a bewildering array of striking figures and impressive tables. For this, I am extremely grateful to Dr Rakesh Gupta, an expert in echocardiography of international repute. He has been very kind and generous in providing me with real-time images from his vast and valuable 8collection. I am also very thankful to M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India, who infuse life into subsequent editions of all my books, by virtue of their typesetting and artwork expertise. Do keep pouring with your comments and criticism. Bouquets and brickbats are both welcome. Bon voyage through Echo Made Easy, third edition.

Ultrasound has revolutionized clinical practice by providing the fifth dimension to physical examination after inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. Echocardiography is the application of ultrasound for examining the heart. It is a practically useful, widely available, cost-effective and noninvasive diagnostic tool. Usage of echo is rapidly expanding with more and more clinicians requesting for and interpreting it to solve vexing clinical dilemmas.

While I was preparing the manuscript of this book, many a time two questions crossed my mind. First, is such a book really required? And second, am I the right person to write it? At the end of the day, I, somehow, managed to convince myself that a precise and practical account of echocardiography is indeed required and that an academic Physician like myself can do justice to this highly technical subject.

The book begins with the basic principles of ultrasound and Doppler and the clinical applications of various echo-modalities including 2-D echo, M-mode scan, Doppler echo and color-flow mapping. This is followed by an account of different echo-windows and normal echo-views along with normal values and dimensions. The echo features of various forms of heart disease such as congenital, valvular, coronary and hypertensive disorders are individually discussed. Due emphasis has been laid on pitfalls in diagnosis, differentiation between seemingly similar findings, their causation and clinical relevance. Understandably, figures and diagrams can never create the impact of dynamic echo display on the video-screen. Nevertheless, they have been especially created to leave a long-lasting visual 10impression on the mind. In keeping with the spirit of simplicity, difficult topics like complex congenital cardiac disease, prosthetic heart valves and transesophageal echocardiography have been purposely excluded.

The book is particularly meant for students of cardiology as well as keen established clinicians wanting to know more about echo. If I can coax some Physicians like myself to integrate echocardiography into their day-to-day clinical practice, I will feel genuinely elated for a mission successfully accomplished.

I am extremely grateful to: