[Bidimensional and direct visualization of the heart by multiple element echocardiography].

Multiple element echography permits a direct visualization of heart sections. In congenital heart diseases, an accurate anatomical diagnosis is often possible. In valvular heart diseases, visualization of the valvular movements and measurement of haemodynamic repercussions over the other cardiac structures makes it possible to assess the severity of the lesion. The overall function of the heart may also be assessed as well on the basis of measurement of the size of the heart, and above all through analysis of valvular movements and the left ventricular wall kinaetics, an information analogous to that obtained by cineangiocardiography. A quantitative study of the left ventricular function by measurement of the systolic and diastolic volumes is still in the experimental stage. A different method of recording and the use of a large single cristal allow a better resolution of the picture of conventional echography, but technical progress might be foreseen in multiple element echography.