Echocardiography, also known as a cardiac ultrasound, is a medical imaging technique used to evaluate heart conditions. It uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the heart, which can be noninvasive or minimally invasive. The procedure can provide still or video images and can be performed by a doctor or technician.
Echocardiography is a type of medical imaging used to visualize the heart for the purpose of evaluating heart conditions or diagnosing suspected heart problems. It is also known as a cardiac ultrasound and may be referred to as a “cardiac echo” or “echo” for short. Depending on the type of echocardiography performed, this type of ultrasound can be very invasive or minimally invasive and is usually done as an outpatient procedure in a hospital or clinic.
In echocardiography, the technician uses a transducer that emits high-frequency sound waves to generate an image of the heart. The transducer reads the sound waves as they return, creating a map of the inside of the chest based on the ways in which the sound waves change. Modern ultrasound machines are capable of generating very high resolution images and it is also possible to create a three-dimensional echocardiogram which provides an even greater level of detail.
In basic echocardiography, the transducer is manipulated along the chest, with a conductive gel ensuring that sound waves are transmitted through the chest wall. In a transesophageal echo, the ultrasound transducer is actually inserted into the throat, providing a clear image without interference from the ribs. A basic echocardiography procedure is noninvasive and comfortable for the patient, while a transesophageal procedure can be extremely uncomfortable, although it provides a more reliable image.
A variety of types of images of the heart can be acquired with cardiac ultrasound. Still images that provide insight into the structures of the heart can be very helpful, as can video images that document the heart in action. Video images can be used to measure the heart’s output, and it is also possible to follow dyes and tracers to check for leaks around the valves. Some ultrasound machines generate colored images for higher contrast to make the echocardiogram easier to read.
This procedure can be performed by a doctor or an ultrasound technician. If the test is performed by a technician, the patient may have to wait several hours or days for the test results to be interpreted by a radiologist or cardiologist, while a doctor may be able to discuss the results right away. Echocardiography is just one tool in an arsenal of options that can be used to study the heart for medical reasons, but it can provide a great deal of information with minimal patient discomfort and expense.
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