"Preface Since the publication of the first edition of Making Sense of Echocardiography, there have been many advancements in the field of echo. The quality and sophistication of echo technology continues to improve, and techniques such as 3D echo and speckle tracking are increasingly 'mainstream'. To reflect these changes, the book has been thoroughly revised and updated and, in particular, sees the addition of specific chapters on the newer echo technologies by expert contributors. There have also been major updates of many of the key echo guidelines, and these updates have been incorporated throughout the text. Key references for further reading are provided for each chapter, and these reflect the latest guidelines and papers in each field. Many new figures have been included, and several chapters have been restructured to provide even greater clarity to the text. The primary aim of this second edition of Making Sense of Echocardiography remains the same as the first - to provide the echo trainee with a comprehensive yet readable introduction to echo, and to provide more experienced sonographers with an accessible handbook for reference when required. Information not just on performing echo but also on the supporting topics of ultrasound physics, anatomy, physiology and clinical cardiology is interwoven throughout the book. The approach to echo studies taken in this book is based on guidelines published by national echo societies, principally the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE), and I am particularly grateful to the BSE and the British Heart Foundation for their permission to use their recommended reference ranges throughout the book. I am also grateful to everyone who has taken the time to comment on draft copies of the text"--Provided by publisher.