Does Echocardiography Have a Role in the Cardiologist's Diagnosis of Innocent Murmurs in Childhood?

Abstract

Background: Innocent murmurs are common in childhood. Echocardiography may diagnose almost all congenital cardiac abnormalities. Earlier studies have suggested that it may be unnecessary when a clinical diagnosis of an innocent murmur is made by an experienced cardiologist. Yet, echocardiography is commonly performed despite such a diagnosis. Is that justifiable? Methods: Patients referred to a paediatric cardiologist for evaluation of a murmur were assessed. If an innocent murmur was clinically diagnosed, an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram were ordered when requested. The cardiologist completed a questionnaire documenting the reasons for the investigations and his degree of confiden..