In the supplement to the October 2006 issue of Critical Care Nurse, the authors imply that only intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is based on the pizoelectric effect. In fact, all echocardiographic transducers function this way including both TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) and TEE (transesophageal echocardiography), because that is how the sound waves are generated. As an RN, who is also an echocardiographer, I am disturbed when inaccurate information is disseminated.

Also, 3-dimensional echocardiography is very time-consuming and the equipment is very expensive. Few centers, other than research facilities, use it. There are also not that many practicing cardiologists who can read 3-dimensional echocardiography. So while it does have some amazing images, it is not what you will find in most facilities around the country.

The text in the monograph does not imply that only IVUS is based on the pizoelectric effect; however, I can see how the wording can give that impression....

You do not currently have access to this content.