Echocardiogram - Brochure
What is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a diagnostic study that uses sound waves to image the heart. Among structures able to be seen with sound waves are the heart muscle and chambers, the heart valves, the main arteries, and the pericardium (the sac around the heart). The heart is seen through the use of an ultrasound wand (the transducer) which passes harmless sound waves into the body and receives them back. The images are seen on the echo machine and recorded for detailed evaluation at a later time. The test takes about 45 minutes.Do I need to do anything for the test?
The simple answer is no. You may eat and drink prior to the test. You may take your usual medicines before the test.What will happen during the test?
The cardiac sonographer (the "echo tech") will meet you in the waiting room and escort you to the examination room. You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a hospital gown with the gown open in the front. The sonographer will have you lay down on a table on your left side to image the heart (this brings your heart closer to the chest wall). The table has a special section that may be removed for improved imaging. The sonographer will place some ECG patches on your chest to record your heartbeat. The transducer will then be coated with ultrasound gel to allow for imaging. The sonographer will then take pictures of your heart in several places in order to obtain a complete picture. Following the procedure, you will be free to go. The exam will be interpreted within 24 hours and the results will be available to the ordering physician within 1-2 days.Special Procedures:
There are times that an IV may be needed. Under certain circumstances, your physician may order a "bubble study". This is performed similar to a regular echocardiogram, but at the end, some additional images are obtained following the administration of saline (IV fluid). This allows the interpreting physician to look to see whether there might be a communication between the chambers. Occasionally an IV might be placed to allow for the administration of a "contrast agent". This allows for improved viewing of the heart chambers in patients who have images that are difficult to obtain. The sonographer will make the determination when performing the echocardiogram.The IV will be placed by one of the Metropolitan Cardiology Consultants highly skilled nurses and will be removed following the completion of the test.
Questions?
If you have any questions before or after the test, please do not hesitate to contact Metropolitan Cardiology Consultants at (763) 236-9220.Click here to learn more.
