Echocardiography in Women: How Are Mars and Venus Different?

Abstract

Sex is an important determinant of cardiac structure and function. We review key sex differences in universal echocardiographic parameters and discuss the clinical implications of using sex-specific algorithms to increase the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography and improve the timely treatment of common cardiovascular disorders, and the unique role of echocardiography in pregnancy and the evaluation of ischemic heart disease. Emerging echocardiographic findings have begun to define important sex-based differences in chamber size and ventricular function. We advocate for additional research and the consideration of sex-specific algorithms in future expert consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease, heart failure, and thoracic aortic disease. Echocardiography is an essential diagnostic tool in our armamentarium of imaging modalities for the sex-specific diagnosis and guidance of treatment for a broad spectrum of cardiovascular disorders.