What is the M-mode type of ultrasound?

M-mode, or motion mode, is a type of ultrasound imaging that displays the movement of structures over time. It is commonly used to evaluate the motion of the heart valves and walls. In M-mode, a single ultrasound beam is used to create a one-dimensional image of the heart. The image is created by rapidly scanning the beam across the heart, and the resulting image is displayed as a series of lines. Each line represents the position of the ultrasound beam at a specific point in time.

M-mode ultrasound can be used to measure the thickness of the heart walls, the size of the heart chambers, and the motion of the heart valves. It can also be used to detect abnormalities in the heart's structure and function, such as valve regurgitation, valve stenosis, and myocardial infarction.

M-mode ultrasound is a relatively simple and inexpensive imaging technique, and it can be performed quickly and easily. However, it is a limited imaging technique, as it only provides one-dimensional images. For more detailed images of the heart, other ultrasound imaging techniques, such as two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound, are typically used.