Which imaging technique is most commonly used to evaluate structural heart disease in patients with arrhythmias?

Echocardiography is the most commonly used imaging technique for evaluating structural heart disease in patients with arrhythmias due to its non-invasive nature, real-time imaging capabilities, and the ability to provide crucial information about heart function, chamber sizes, wall motion, and valve structure. It uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to assess for conditions such as cardiomyopathies, valve diseases, and other structural anomalies that may contribute to arrhythmias.

Echocardiography is particularly valuable because it can often be performed at the bedside, making it accessible for quick evaluations in various clinical settings. Additionally, compared to other imaging modalities, echocardiography does not expose patients to radiation, making it a safer option for repeated evaluations.

Other imaging techniques like CT scans and MRI also play important roles in specific situations, especially when detailed anatomical information or tissue characterization is required, but they aren't as routinely performed or widely available as echocardiography for initial assessments of structural heart disease associated with arrhythmias. X-rays, while useful for assessing the overall size and shape of the heart and detecting certain conditions, do not provide the detailed structural information that echocardiography offers.