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1.6.4 Frame Rate

Echocardiography has a very high temporal resolution. As a matter of fact, no imaging modality in cardiology comes close to echocardiography in this regard. Temporal resolution is described by the so-called frame rate. The latter is defined as the number of ultrasound images displayed in one second and is expressed in Hertz (Hz). High frame rates enable us to see rapidly moving structures (such as heart valves) without motion artifacts, and also perform velocity and deformation analysis (i.e. tissue Doppler). Although the human eye is only capable of recording and interpreting frame rates of 45 Hz, higher frame rates are helpful especially when using the so-called ciné function, which allows a "slow-motion" playback of the 2D image.

Cine mode function: Ultrasound scanners are constantly storing pervious images in the form of an endless loop recording. This allows playback and slow-motion display of the images.

Frame Rate — Factors that Influence it
Frame Rate = Frames / sec
Sector widthFrequency
Scan linesDepth

High frame rates are valuable when used in combination with the image review function (detection of rapid motion).

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