Critical care echocardiography (CCE) use is rapidly growing and echocardiography is recommended as first-line approach to patients presenting with shock. In most cases the prompt use of CCE offers the opportunity to quickly identify the shock aetiology, with the advantage of being a non-invasive point-of-care tool. Septic shock is among the most common diagnoses of hypotension both in the emergency department and in the intensive care unit. CCE may have a substantial role in sepsis.

A stress echocardiogram is the same as a transthoracic echocardiogram, except a stress echocardiogram takes pictures before and after performing exercise. The duration of the exercise is usually 6 to 10 minutes but can be shorter or longer depending on your exercise tolerance and fitness level.