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Echocardiography essentially examines the functioning of a person's heart. This test uses sound waves to create a diagnostic picture of the heart. This procedure evaluates the valves and chambers of the heart in a non-invasive manner. This aids the diagnosis of heart disorders like cardiomyopathy, atrial tumors and pericardial effusion, i.e., abnormal fluid collection around the heart. It also helps evaluate the cardiac wall motion and function after a heart attack.
Other names
Transesophageal echocardiogram
Doppler ultrasound of the heart
Echocardiogram
What is the Test?
It is a test, which essentially examines the functioning of a person's heart. This test uses sound waves to create a diagnostic picture of the heart. This picture thus created is similar to an X-ray image. However, unlike the conventional X-ray, this picture is obtained without exposing the patient to any radiation.
This procedure evaluates the valves and chambers of the heart in a non-invasive manner. This aids the diagnosis of heart disorders like cardiomyopathy, atrial tumors and pericardial effusion, i.e., abnormal fluid collection around the heart. It also helps evaluate the cardiac wall motion and function after a heart attack.
How is it performed?
Only a trained technician can perform this test.
First a conductive gel is applied to the patient's chest. Then a transducer is placed on the spot where the gel has been applied. The patient may be asked to breathe in a certain way or inhale a medication to dilate the blood vessels during the test.
The patient is expected to remain still during the test.
The transducer, an instrument that transmits high-frequency sound waves, is placed on the ribs near the sternum and directed towards the heart. It picks up the echoes of the waves and transforms them into an electrical impulse. This impulse is further relayed to an echocardiogram machine where it is displayed and recorded.
If the echocardiogram is not clear due to a barrel chest, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or obesity, your health care provider can perform a transesophageal echocardiogram.
In this situation the back of your throat is anaesthetized and a scope is inserted down your throat. On the end of the scope is an ultrasonic device that gives a two dimensional echocardiogram of your heart.
How does one prepare for the Test?
For adults no special preparation for the test is prescribed. However, for Infants and children the physical and psychological preparation for this procedure depends on their age, interests, previous experience and the trust they repose in others. |
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