Editing Heart (section)

====Imaging====
{{Main|Cardiac imaging}}
Several [[medical imaging|imaging]] methods can be used to assess the anatomy and function of the heart, including [[ultrasound]] ([[echocardiography]]), [[angiography]], [[CT scan|CT]], [[MRI]], and [[Positron emission tomography|PET, scans]]. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart used to measure the heart's function, assess for valve disease, and look for any abnormalities. Echocardiography can be conducted by a probe on the chest ([[Transthoracic echocardiogram|transthoracic]]), or by a probe in the [[esophagus]] ([[Transesophageal echocardiogram|transesophageal]]). A typical echocardiography report will include information about the width of the valves noting any [[stenosis]], whether there is any backflow of blood ([[Regurgitation (circulation)|regurgitation]]) and information about the blood volumes at the end of systole and diastole, including an [[ejection fraction]], which describes how much blood is ejected from the left and right ventricles after systole. Ejection fraction can then be obtained by dividing the volume ejected by the heart (stroke volume) by the volume of the filled heart (end-diastolic volume).<ref>{{cite book|author1=Armstrong, William F.|author2=Ryan, Thomas|author3=Feigenbaum, Harvey|title=Feigenbaum's Echocardiography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LebU6zLrA8gC|year=2010|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-0-7817-9557-9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423224258/https://books.google.com/books?id=LebU6zLrA8gC|archive-date=23 April 2016}}</ref> Echocardiograms can also be conducted under circumstances when the body is more stressed, in order to examine for signs of lack of blood supply. This [[cardiac stress test]] involves either direct exercise, or where this is not possible, injection of a drug such as [[dobutamine]].{{sfn|Davidson's|2010|pp=522–536}}

CT scans, [[chest X-rays]] and other forms of imaging can help evaluate the heart's size, evaluate for signs of [[pulmonary oedema]], and indicate whether there is [[pericardial effusion|fluid around the heart]]. They are also useful for evaluating the aorta, the major blood vessel which leaves the heart.{{sfn|Davidson's|2010|pp=522–536}}