Echocardiography
Introduction
Echocardiography is a noninvasive procedure used in cardiology to assess heart and blood vessel disorders.
This procedure uses ultrasound technology, which although technically complex, is a painless procedure involving no radiation exposure.
Two Dimensional Echocardiogram with Doppler
This test involves a technician placing an ultrasound probe on various positions of the chest. It provides information about heart muscle function, valves and pressures in the heart for your doctor. It takes approximately one hour and is painless.
Transesophageal Echocardiography
This study involves the passage of a probe down a patient's esophagus (throat) to obtain high quality, detailed images of the heart. You are given sedation for the procedure and cannot drive for 24 hours after the test. It takes about one hour.
You should have nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to the test. This will allow your doctor to determine better the function of your heart muscle and its valves.
Exercise Echocardiographic Imaging
Echocardiography may be performed in conjunction with a treadmill exercise test and is referred to as an exercise echocardiographic test or an "exercise stress echo" test.
Exercise echocardiographic imaging is performed:
- When the results of a routine treadmill study are equivocal
- When there is known coronary artery occlusive disease and it is desirable to know the extent and severity of the disease (so-called risk stratification).
- In some patients to determine the functional significance of coronary blockage observed on an angiogram
- To determine if coronary disease is the cause of, or associated with, abnormalities on the resting electrocardiogram
- To evaluate the results of coronary bypass surgery or coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA)
Exercise echocardiographic imaging is a non-invasive test and carries no risk beyond that of the treadmill testing itself.
Dobutamine Echocardiography
This is a type of pharmacologic echocardiographic stress test that helps determine the presence or absence of coronary artery disease in the heart and may be used as a substitute for exercise stress testing. An intravenous medication (Dobutamine) is infused while echocardiographic images are taken. The medicine increases the heart rate which allows your doctor to assess heart muscle function. The test takes 1-2 hours. You should have nothing to eat or drink two hours before the test.