[Possibilities of erroneous interpretation of echocardiograms].

Diagnostic ultrasound is capable of providing important information on cardiac structures and motion. Diagnostic misinterpretations and errors, however, are not uncommon, due to the manner in which data are acquired and displayed during an echocardiographic examination. This paper discusses the typical echocardiographic patterns of a variety of important conditions concerning the mitral valve, the left ventricle, the interatrial and interventricular septum as well as the influence of respiration on the performance of echocardiograms. Essential pitfalls in establishing a correct diagnosis in each of these conditions are discussed and demonstrated by illustrations.