Echocardiogram (ECHO)

Types of echocardiograms or when contrast is used for the echocardiogram

• Echocardiography is a test that creates live images of your heart using sound waves. The image is called an echocardiogram. This test allows your doctor to monitor how well your heart and its valves are working.
• Blood clots in the heart chambers fluid in the sac around the heart issues with the aorta, the main artery connected to the heart issues with the pumping or relaxing function of the heart issues with the function of heart valves pressure in the heart
• An echocardiogram is key in determining the health of the heart muscle, especially after a heart attack It can also detect heart defects or irregularities in fetus.
• An echocardiogram is a painless procedure. Only in extremely rare cases are there risks with certain types of echocardiograms or when contrast is used for the echocardiogram

Echocardiography under stress

Transthoracic echocardiography is used in a stress echocardiogram, but the images are taken before and after you've exercised or taken medication to make your heart beat faster. This allows your doctor to assess how your heart responds to stress.

What to anticipate

Patches that connect to the echocardiogram machine will be applied to your chest by your doctor.
The echocardiogram and other devices will collect data at regular intervals to determine how the heart responds and how well it works.

They will measure you’re:

• Heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure
• For an exercise stress test
• Come to the test prepared to work out.
• A doctor may inject a contrast dye prior to the test to help provide a clearer image.
• Before, during, and after the exercise, the doctor will take your heart rate and blood pressure.

Echocardiography in three dimensions

A three-dimensional (3-D) echocardiogram creates a 3-D image of your heart using either transesophageal or transthoracic echocardiography. This requires multiple images from various angles.It is used to diagnose heart problems in children as well as to prepare for heart valve surgery.

Echocardiography during pregnancy

The term "electronic commerce" refers to the online sale of goods and services.. The transducer is placed over the pregnant woman's abdomen to check for heart problems in the foetus. The test is considered safe for an unborn child because, unlike an X-ray, it does not use radiation.

Risks

• Echocardiograms are considered very safe. Echocardiograms, unlike other imaging techniques such as X-rays, do not use radiation.
• Contrast dyes and patches
• There is a slight risk of complications such as an allergic reaction to the contrast if a scan involves a contrast injection or agitated saline. Contrast should never be used while pregnant.
• You may feel some discomfort when the EKG electrodes are removed from your skin.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram
• The tube used in a transesophageal echocardiogram has a small chance of scraping the oesophagus and causing irritation. In extremely rare cases, it can puncture the oesophagus and cause esophageal perforation, a potentially fatal complication.
• The most common side effect is a sore throat caused by irritation of the back of the throat.Because of the sedative used in the procedure, you may also feel relaxed or drowsy.

Stress Echocardiogram

The medication or exercise used to raise your heart rate during a stress echocardiogram could result in an irregular heartbeat or even a heart attack.

Throughout the procedure

• The majority of echocardiograms are performed in a hospital or doctor's office and take less than an hour.
• The steps for a transthoracic echocardiogram are as follows:
• You must undress from the waist up, and electrodes will be attached to your body by the technician.
• The technician will move a transducer across your chest to capture an image of your heart's sound waves.
• You may be instructed to breathe or move in a specific manner.
• The steps for a transesophageal echocardiogram are as follows:
• Your throat will become numb.
• After that, you will be given a sedative to help you relax during the procedure.
• A tube will guide the transducer down your throat, where it will take images of your heart through your oesophagus.
• A stress echocardiogram is similar to a transthoracic echocardiogram, except that it takes pictures before and after exercise. The exercise usually lasts 6 to 10 minutes, but it can be shorter or longer depending on your exercise tolerance and fitness level.

Preparing for an Echocardiogram

There is no need to prepare for a transthoracic echocardiogram.
However, if you have a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will tell you not to eat anything for 8 hours before the test. This is to keep you from vomiting during the examination. You may also be unable to drive for a few hours following the procedure due to the sedatives.
Wear comfortable exercise clothes and shoes if your doctor has ordered a stress echocardiogram.

Recovering from an echocardiogram

• An echocardiogram usually requires little to no recovery time.
• Following a transesophageal echocardiogram, you may experience some throat soreness for a few hours.
• But you should be able to resume your normal activities the following day.
• Abnormal cardiac chamber size issues with pumping function heart stiffness.

Valve issues

Clots in the heart problems with blood flow to the heart during exercise pressure in the heart.
If your doctor is concerned about your findings, he or she may refer you to a cardiologist. This doctor specializes in heart surgery. Before diagnosing any problems, your doctor may order additional tests or physical examinations.
If you are diagnosed with a heart conon, your doctor will work with you to develop the best treatment plan for you.

Takeaway

• Echocardiograms can show how well your heart is working and highlight areas of concern. Most procedures are noninvasive, but your doctor may inject a contrast dye or agitated saline to obtain a clearer image.
• In the case of a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will numb the throat before passing a transducer down it to obtain a clearer image. Unless your doctor says otherwise, you should come to an exercise stress test prepared to exercise.
• Echocardiograms are reliable methods of obtaining accurate information about the heart. They can assist a doctor in diagnosing heart and cardiovascular problems and determining the best treatment if one arises.