Aesthetic Medicine Today
Echocardiogram
(Echo, 2D echo, cardiac ultrasound, echocardiography)

Definition:
An echocardiogram (often called "echo") is a graphic outline of the heart's movement.
During an echocardiogram test, ultrasound ( high-frequency sound waves) that
comes from a hand-held wand placed on your chest, is used to provide pictures of the
heart's valves and chambers and help the sonographer evaluate the pumping action
of the heart. Echo is often combined with Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler to
evaluate blood flow across the heart’s valves.

Your doctor uses the echocardiogram to:
•        Assess the heart’s function
•        Determine the presence of disease of the heart muscle, valves and
pericardium, heart tumors, and congenital heart disease
•        Evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatments
•        Follow the progress of valve disease

How is heart muscle and heart valve disease diagnosed?
Your primary care physician can provide a referral to the Acute Response Testing
Center for a testing to determine the cause of your heart disease.

To prepare for echocardiography:
You can wear whatever you like to your appointment for echocardiogram. You will
need to change into a hospital gown to wear during echocardiography. Do not bring
valuables.

You may eat and drink as you normally would on the day of the echocardiogram test.
Take all of your medications at the usual times, as prescribed by your doctor.

What to expect during an echocardiogram procedure:
Before the echocardiogram test, a cardiac sonographer (an allied health professional
who has been trained specifically to perform ultrasound examinations), will explain
the procedure in detail, including possible complications and side effects. They will be
available to answer any questions you may have. You will be given a gown to wear
for your echocardiography procedure. You will be asked to remove your clothing from
the waist up. A cardiac sonographer will place three electrodes (small, flat, sticky
patches) on your chest. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor
(ECG) that charts your heart’s electrical activity. The sonographer will ask you to lie
on your left side on an exam table. The sonographer will place a wand (called a
sound-wave transducer) on several areas of your chest. The wand will have a small
amount of cool gel on the end, which will not harm your skin. This gel helps get
clearer pictures. Sounds are part of the Doppler signal. You may or may not hear the
sounds during the test. You may be asked to change positions during the exam in
order to take pictures of different areas of your heart. You may be asked to hold your
breath at times. You should feel no major discomfort during the test. You may feel
coolness from the gel on the transducer and a slight pressure of the transducer on
your chest. The echo test takes about 40 minutes. After the echocardiogram test, you
may get dressed and go home or go to your other scheduled appointments.
After the cardiologist reviews your test, the results will go into your electronic medical
record. Your physician will have access to the results and will discuss them with you.

Ask you doctor if you have any questions about echocardiography.