Frequently Asked Questions:
a safe and painless non-invasive diagnostic tool for imaging the heart and surrounding structures. Objects such as the heart walls and valves are visualized and imaged by a specially trained technologist/sonographer. The images are interpreted by a specially trained cardiologist or physician in the field of echocardiography. It is quite helpful in establishing a specific diagnosis and estimating the severity of various cardiac diseases. It is important to recognize that the ultrasound exam is only a part of the complete cardiac work-up. Findings on the echocardiogram must be correlated with information obtained from other diagnostic procedures to determine the complete diagnosis and optimal therapeutic plan for each individual patient.
high-frequency ultrasound waves to take moving pictures of the heart, to evaluate structural, functional, and hemodynamic status of the cardiovascular system. The sound waves are directed to the heart from a small hand-held device which sends and receives these signals. This device is called a transducer. The transducer also detects the echoes bouncing back from the surfaces of internal structures, such as myocardium and heart valves. A computer calculates the time it takes the sound waves to travel to and from your heart and then reconstructs the shape of the heart on the basis of that information. The image (echocardiogram) of your heart is displayed on a video or television screen, and it can be recorded on videotape or printed on paper.
cardiac chamber size, wall thickness, wall motion, valve configuration and motion, and the proximal great vessels. Using ultrasound, anatomic relationships can be determined and information regarding cardiac function can be derived.
by a cardiac sonographer who has in-depth knowledge of cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics, and the ability to interact on a professional level with patients, physicians and other allied health individuals to obtain diagnostic information that will supplement the actual echocardiographic examination. Cardiac sonographers seek to acquire professional certification in their specialty of echocardiography and strive to maintain continuing educational documentation of competency to ensure that they are keeping pace with changes in the profession.
transthoracic (on the chest), transesophageal (invasively), or exercise or dobutamine stress echo. The acquired information can be displayed in different forms. The echocardiogram is interpreted by a trained physician who specialized in reading echocardiograms. The transthoracic exam may take approximately an hour, depending upon how easily the necessary information is obtained. Since the transducer must be placed directly on the chest wall or upper abdomen for theexamination, you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up. You will be provided a hospital gown or a sheet to keep you warm and comfortable and to minimize the area on the chest which must be exposed at any one time while the test is being performed. Small adhesive patches and harmless wires will be attached to your body to record your electrocardiogram. The electrocardiogram provides timing of events in the heart. There are occasions when more than one transducer is applied to the chest and also heart sounds or pulses may be recorded along with the echocardiogram. Your physician may request that an echocardiogram be performed simultaneously with an exercise test. This procedure will be throughly explained by the physician or sonographer. You may be asked to hold your breath and not to talk during the test in order toget a better picture. The sonographers doing the test will tell you if this is necessary.