Tuberculosis echocardiography or ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mashal Awais, M.D.[2]; Ammu Susheela, M.D. [3]

Echocardiography or Ultrasound may be used in patients who develop pericardial effusion secondary to TB.^[1] On rare occasions TB may result in congestive heart failure, in which case echocardiograph may also help in the diagnosis. echocardiogram findings in CHF include hypokinesia; valvular insufficiency as well as enlargement of all heart chambers.

• Tuberculosis involves the heart in 1-2% of the cases, and the pericardium is the most commonly affected structure.^[2][3] Patients with HIV have a high susceptibility for extrapulmonary tuberculosis including tuberculous pericarditis. Echocardiography is a good tool in diagnosing this extrapulmonary manifestation.

• The common findings in echocardiography include:^[4]

• Pericardial thickening
• Pericardial effusion classified as mild, moderate, and severe
• Exudative deposits with echo dense mass around epicardium
• Fibrin strands from pericardium protruding or crossing the pericardial space

• In rare occasions, the myocardium may be affected with TB and should be suspected in patients with congestive heart failure and clinical features of TB.
• Echocardiographic findings may include:^[5][6]

• Hypokinesia
• Enlargement of all heart chambers
• Mitral regurgitation
• Tricuspid regurgitation
• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Template:WH Template:WS