Echocardiogram
(Echocardiography,
Echo, Cardiac Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasonography,
Cardiac Doppler, Transthoracic Echocardiogram,
TTE)
What
is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram
is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure
used to assess the heart's function and structures.
During the procedure, a transducer (like a microphone)
sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency
too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed
on the chest at certain locations and angles,
the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin
and other body tissues to the heart tissues, where
the waves echo off of the heart structures. The
transducer picks up the reflected waves and sends
them to a computer. The computer interprets the
echoes into an image of the heart walls and valves.
An echocardiogram
may utilize one or more of four special types
of echocardiography, as listed below:
- M-mode echocardiography
This, the simplest type of echocardiography,
produces an image that is similar to a tracing
rather than an actual picture of heart structures.
M-mode echo is useful for measuring heart structures,
such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size
of the heart itself, and the thickness of the
heart walls.
- Doppler echocardiography
This Doppler technique is used to measure and
assess the flow of blood through the heart's
chambers and valves. The amount of blood pumped
out with each beat is an indication of the heart's
functioning. Also, Doppler can detect abnormal
blood flow within the heart, which can indicate
a problem with one or more of the heart's four
valves, or with the heart's walls.
- color Doppler
Color Doppler is an enhanced form of Doppler
echocardiography. With color Doppler, different
colors are used to designate the direction of
blood flow. This simplifies the interpretation
of the Doppler technique.
- 2-D (2-dimensional)
echocardiography
This technique is used to visualize the actual
structures and motion of the heart structures.
A 2-D echo view appears cone-shaped on the monitor,
and the real-time motion of the heart's structures
can be observed. This enables the physician
to see the various heart structures at work
and evaluate them.
Other
related procedures that may be used to assess
the heart include resting or exercise electrocardiogram
(ECG or EKG), Holter monitor, signal-averaged
ECG, cardiac catheterization, chest x-ray, computed
tomography (CT scan) of the chest, electrophysiological
studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the
heart, myocardial perfusion scans, radionuclide
angiography, and ultrafast CT scan. Please see
these procedures for additional information.
An echocardiogram
may be performed for further evaluation of signs
or symptoms that may suggest:
- atherosclerosis -
a gradual clogging of the arteries over many
years by fatty materials and other substances
in the blood stream
- cardiomyopathy -
an enlargement of the heart due to thickening
or weakening of the heart muscle
- congenital heart disease
- defects in one or more heart structures
that occur during formation of the fetus, such
as a ventricular septal defect (hole in the
wall between the two lower chambers of the heart)
- congestive heart failure
- a condition in which the heart
muscle has become weakened to an extent that
blood cannot be pumped efficiently, causing
buildup (congestion) in the blood vessels and
lungs, and edema (swelling) in the feet, ankles,
and other parts of the body
- aneurysm -
a dilation of a part of the heart muscle or
the aorta (the large artery that carries oxygenated
blood out of the heart to the rest of the body),
which may cause weakness of the tissue at the
site of the aneurysm
- valvular heart disease
- malfunction of one or more of
the heart valves that may cause an obstruction
of the blood flow within the heart
- cardiac tumor -
a tumor of the heart that may occur on the outside
surface of the heart, within one or more chambers
of the heart (intracavitary), or within the
muscle tissue of the heart
- pericarditis -
an inflammation or infection of the sac that
surrounds the heart
An echocardiogram
may be performed to assess the heart’s function
and structures.
There
may be other reasons for your physician to recommend
an echocardiogram.
For
some patients, having to lie still on the examination
table for the length of the procedure may cause
some discomfort or pain.
There
may be other risks depending upon your specific
medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns
with your physician prior to the procedure.
- Your physician will
explain the procedure to you and offer you the
opportunity to ask any questions that you might
have about the procedure.
- Generally, no prior
preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is
required.
- Notify your physician
of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
and herbal supplements that you are taking.
- Notify your physician
if you have a pacemaker.
- Based upon your medical
condition, your physician may request other
specific preparation.
An echocardiogram
may be performed on an outpatient basis or as
part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may
vary depending on your condition and your physician’s
practices.
Generally,
an echocardiogram follows this process:
- You will be asked to
remove any jewelry or other objects that may
interfere with the procedure. You may wear your
glasses, dentures, or hearing aids if you use
any of these.
- You will be asked to
remove clothing and will be given a gown to
wear.
- You will lie on a table
or bed, positioned on your left side. A pillow
or wedge may be placed behind your back for
support.
- You will be connected
to an ECG monitor that records the electrical
activity of the heart and monitors the heart
during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes.
The ECG tracings that record the electrical
activity of the heart will be compared to the
images displayed on the echocardiogram monitor.
- The room will be darkened
so that the images on the echo monitor can be
viewed by the technologist.
- The technologist will
place warmed gel on your chest and then place
the transducer probe on the gel. You will feel
a slight pressure as the technologist positions
the transducer to get the desired image of your
heart.
- During the test, the
technologist will move the transducer probe
around and apply varying amounts of pressure
to obtain images of different locations and
structures of your heart. The amount of pressure
behind the probe should not be uncomfortable.
If it does make you uncomfortable, however,
let the technologist know.
- After the procedure
has been completed, the technologist will wipe
the gel from your chest and remove the ECG electrode
pads. You may then put on your clothes.
You
may resume your usual diet and activities unless
your physician advises you differently.
Generally,
there is no special type of care following an
echocardiogram. However, your physician may give
you additional or alternate instructions after
the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
|
