Recommendations for standardization of measurements from M-mode echocardiograms

Measurement sites and their landmarks on the M-mode echocardiogram have not been clearly standardized. AS a result, significant interobserver and even intralaboratory variation in measurement techniques and results exists The extent of these variation has recently been studied by the American Society of Echocardiography, who have made recommendations regarding quantification in M-mode echocardiography1. These recommendations were based on measurement techniques that gave most reproducible results when used by a group echocardiographers. It was also assumed that complete standardization was possible, and that for a single measurement, recommendations could be made that were valid in all circumstances. The Working Group in Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology has adopted a slightly more flexible approach to this problem, and the following criteria are recommended for standardization and quality control of M-mode echocardiograms.