A cardiologist explaining how to order an echocardiogram or carotid ultrasound, step by step to a patient.

The guidelines for ordering medical exams should meet certain criteria. These are outlined below:

  1. Serial echocardiograms for surveillance after a finding of trace valvular regurgitation on an initial echocardiogram are not suggested.
  2. Repeat echocardiograms in stable, asymptomatic patients with a murmur/click, where previous exam revealed no significant pathology are not suggested.
  3. Avoid echocardiograms for preoperative/preoperative assessment of patients with no history or symptoms of heart disease.