October 2003

This document includes recommendations for the use of echocardiography in both adult and pediatric patients. The pediatric guidelines also include recommendations for fetal echocardiography, an increasingly important field. The guidelines include recommendations for the use of echocardiography in both specific cardiovascular disorders and the evaluation of patients with frequently observed cardiovascular symptoms and signs, common presenting complaints, or findings of dyspnea, chest discomfort, and cardiac murmur. In this way, the guidelines will provide assistance to physicians regarding the use of echocardiographic techniques in the evaluation of such common clinical problems.