An echocardiogram helps your doctor determine how strongly your heart is contracting, whether or not your blood is flowing properly
through your heart, and if your heart valves are working well.
Surface Echocardiography An echocardiogram is a test that produces pictures of your heart by means of high- frequency sound waves called ultrasound. The picture
of your heart produced by an echocardiogram provides valuable information about your heart's size and function.
An echocardiography technologist will place a small, flat, hand-held disc called a probe directly on your chest. This probe sends and
receives the sound waves that produce the picture. There is no pain associated with an echocardiogram, and it requires no special
preparation. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a special type of echocardiogram that allows your cardiologist to view the back of your
heart by using ultrasound. During a TEE, the cardiologist will pass a small, flexible tube through your mouth into your esophagus
or the "food tube" that connects your mouth to your stomach. The ultrasound pictures are then taken through this tube. Because the
sound waves do not need to travel through bone and muscle in your chest, the pictures that are produced are extremely clear. There
is no interference with your breathing and there is no discomfort. The test takes 20 to 40 minutes to complete. A nurse assists
the cardiologist with this procedure. A TEE is usually performed when the standard echocardiogram cannot adequately show a particular
part of your heart. If your doctor orders a TEE for you, you will receive additional information when the test is scheduled.
Choose a topic at left and click for more information on Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests.
