What is the sensitivity of an echocardiogram in detecting cardiac conditions?

The choice of 85% reflects a commonly cited sensitivity range for echocardiograms in detecting various cardiac conditions, particularly in the context of screening for structural heart diseases and certain congenital anomalies. Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides detailed visualization of the heart's anatomy and function, which contributes to its utility in identifying many cardiac issues.

Sensitivity refers to the test's ability to correctly identify those with the disease (true positive rate), and in the case of echocardiograms, this percentage can vary based on the specific cardiac condition being assessed, the patient's age and clinical status, as well as the quality of the echocardiogram performed. While the sensitivity can indeed range widely depending on these factors, 85% serves as a reasonable estimation acknowledging that echocardiography is a valuable tool in cardiac diagnostics but is not infallible.

Some conditions might be better visualized than others, and interpretations depend greatly on the operator's skill as well as the patient's anatomical characteristics. This percentage indicates that while echocardiography is highly effective, there is still a substantive rate of false negatives that may necessitate further testing or imaging modalities to confirm a diagnosis.