Echocardiogram

Evaluate a heart murmurDiagnose and determine the extent of valve conditionsDetermine the presence of abnormalities in the structure of the heartMeasure the size and thickness of the heart and its chambers Assess motion of the chamber walls and the extent of damage to the heart muscle after a heart attackAssess how different parts of the heart are functioning in patients with chronic heart diseaseDetermine if fluid is collecting around the heartIdentify the presence of tumors in the heartAssess for and monitor congenital defectsEvaluate a patient's response to treatment or a corrective procedureEvaluate blood flow through the heartAssess if the heart or major blood vessels coming and going from the heart have been damaged by a traumatic injury, often done to determine a heart's condition before it is donated for transplantEvaluate heart function and diagnose heart and lungs abnormalities in critically ill patients in an intensive care unitEvaluate chest painEvaluate for presence of blood clots within heart chambers Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure Certain disorders may interfere with clear imaging in a standard echocardiogram and may require transesophageal echocardiography . These include:

Barrel chestCertain lung diseasesObesityEvidence to date shows no risk from standard echocardiograms. What to Expect Prior to ProcedurePhysical examElectrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle DietYou may eat normally before the procedure. During ProcedureYou'll lie on a flat table in a darkened room and gel will be applied to your chest. The darkness helps the technician see images on the screen. AnesthesiaNone. With the endoscopic procedure, you may be given a mild sedative. Description of the Standard ProcedureA conductive gel that helps with the transmission of sound waves is applied to your chest. The technician then presses a small, hand-held device called a transducer (a tool that converts energy from one form to another) against your skin where the gel has been applied. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves toward your heart, which reflects the sound waves back to the transducer. The waves are received by the transducer and converted into electrical impulses that become a visible image on the echocardiography machine.The images appear on the machine's screen. The technician can capture a still image or videotape moving images for review at a later time. To obtain clearer and more complete images, the technician may move the transducer to different areas of your chest. You may also be asked to change positions and slowly inhale, exhale, or not breathe for a short period of time during the exam.

After ProcedureRemove gel from the chest How Long Will It Take?30-60 minutes Will It Hurt?No. The gel may feel cold when it is first applied, and holding the transducer tightly against the skin produces a slight sensation of pressure. Possible ComplicationsNone Average Hospital StayNone Postoperative CareRemove gel from the chest.Resume normal activities. OutcomeThe images made during the echocardiogram are analyzed and interpreted by a specialist, who will send a report to your doctor. Based on these findings, your doctor will make recommendations for treatment during a follow-up appointment. Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following OccursWorsening of your heart-related symptoms RESOURCES: American Heart Associationhttp://www.americanheart.org American Society of Echocardiographyhttp://asecho.org CANADIAN RESOURCES: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canadahttp://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24 University of Ottawa Heart Institutehttp://www.ottawaheart.ca/UOHI/Welcome.do References: American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org . Accessed October 14, 2005. American Society of Echocardiography website. Available at: http://asecho.org . Accessed October 14, 2005.

Huttemann E. Transoesophageal echocardiography in critical care. Minerva Anestesiol . 2006;72:891-913. Medical encyclopedia: echocardiogram. Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003869.htm . Accessed October 14, 2005. Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.rsna.org/ . Accessed October 14, 2005. Sanderson JE, Chan WW. Transoesophageal echocardiography. Postgrad Med J . 1997;73:137-140. Last reviewed November 2007 by J. Peter Oettgen, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.