When You Need to Have
An Echocardiogram
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive diagnostic test performed to evaluate the heart's
function. While the echocardiogram is being done, both you and your doctor will be able to
watch your heart, as it beats, on a small monitor. It is often performed on pediatric
cardiac patients.
How does it work? Will I be in an operating room?
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test. You will lie down on a table in a regular
doctor's examination room, not an operating room. Conductive gel (similar in consistency
to hair gel-sometimes it's a little cold) will be placed on your chest, and then a
transducer will be placed on top of the gel. The transducer is not large or heavy. It is
able to "broadcast" high frequency sound waves into your chest cavity. These
sound waves bounce off of your heart and the results, or echoes, are picked up on the
echocardiogram machine, which makes pictures based on the sound waves.
Are there any probes or needles? Will I be exposed to
radiation?
The sound waves are painless, and are not radioactive. This test is completely
non-invasive in terms of needles and probes.
How long does it take? Will I be awake?
An echocardiogram usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, in order for the doctor to
perform a thorough examination of your heart's function. You will be awake throughout the
test, and can watch along with your doctor. At some points your feedback is necessary. The
doctor may ask you to inhale or exhale, and you may be asked to inhale a medication in
order to dilate your blood vessels during the test. You must remain still throughout the
test.
Is there any special preparation before the exam, e.g. diet restriction?
Adults do not have to monitor food or liquid intake before an echocardiogram. A pediatric
patient's family should consult their doctor before the test, as there may be guidelines
for specific age groups.
Is there any other procedure performed, simultaneously?
Sometimes a doctor combines an echocardiogram with a Doppler test (another machine, also
non-invasive) to measure blood flow. Between the Doppler and echocardiogram, a doctor is
able to get an almost complete picture of heart and blood function without actually
"getting inside" your body.
What kinds of things can an echocardiogram find?
An echocardiogram is able to monitor the performance of the valves. It can help to
diagnose structural abnormalities in the heart wall, valves, and blood vessels. It can
detect tumors, clots or pericardial effusions (abnormal fluid collection around the
heart). It is sometimes used after a heart attack to evaluate the cardiac wall motion and
function. The most frequent use of an echocardiogram is for diagnosing or monitoring
congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies or aneurysms. |
