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Cardiac Services

Echocardiography

Echocardiography allows doctors to visualize the anatomy, structure and function of the heart. It can quickly diagnose the presence and severity of heart valve problems, as well as determine abnormal blood flow within the heart, which can occur due to heart disease in which you may have been born with. This window to the heart enables the doctors to diagnose a number of cardiovascular diseases, so they can begin proper treatment.

An echocardiogram is a safe, noninvasive procedure used to diagnose cardiovascular disease. It uses high-frequency sound waves to literally see all four chambers of the heart, the heart valves, the great blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, as well as the sac around the heart.

There are several different types of echocardiograms that can be performed based on your individual situation and the needs of your physician in order to make the best diagnosis and treatment plan to assist you. These specialized echocardiograms include the following.

Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram helps physicians evaluate the structure and function of the heart and associated vessels. It is a painless and harmless test that uses ultrasound waves to produce images of the heart. The test is performed by a specially trained technologist, called a sonographer, and is interpreted by a specially trained physician, usually a cardiologist, trained in reading echocardiograms.

Contrast Echocardiogram

This procedure combines an echocardiogram with an administration, through a vein, of a sterile contrast solution, which provides images of the inside of the heart. The contrast solution is a harmless agent that has no known side effects. You will need to have an IV started to receive a contrast echocardiogram.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

With this procedure, a miniature ultrasound camera is passed down the esophagus, behind the heart. This allows the physician to obtain very high quality images. Transesophageal echocardiograms are typically performed to evaluate strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIA), previous valve replacements and bypass surgeries and other serious heart conditions.

For more information about echocardiography at Randolph Hospital, please call (336) 629-8836.