What is an echocardiogram?

The most common kind of echocardiogram examination, transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), involve placing the transducer on the front of your chest. TTE is a simple, fast and cost-effective method. This test alone can provide a lot of information about the heart's chambers, valves and muscle, and the performance of the heart. The following examinations are also sometimes used:

• 3D imaging of the heart: Special transducers can be used to provide a three-dimensional image of the heart. This type of examination is most often used to assess the functioning of the heart valves and in people with heart failure.
• Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound: A Doppler ultrasound can be used to see the flow of blood. A color Doppler ultrasound can also show the direction of blood flow in different colors. This is done by using sound waves of a specific frequency. The flow rate can also be measured at the same time. The resulting images will show any valve defects or holes in the cardiac septum (the wall dividing the right and left sides of the heart).
• Stress test: An echocardiogram can also be done while the heart is being subjected to additional stress. In the "stress test," the performance of the heart is increased through physical exercise (for example with an exercise bike) or special medications. These medications increase the heart's need for oxygen and are injected into a vein in your arm. Signs of circulation problems in the coronary arteries, such as heart wall movement disorders, can be seen indirectly when the heart is under stress.

Sometimes a contrast agent (which works as a dye) is injected into a vein too, so that doctors can observe how the blood is distributed throughout the heart when the heart has to work harder. Areas that don't receive a lot of blood show less color because they also have less of the contrast agent in them.

TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) uses a transducer mounted at the end of a long, flexible tube that is carefully inserted into your food pipe through your mouth. This is similar to how gastroscopy (a stomach examination) is done. Because the food pipe is located right behind the heart, this examination can deliver more exact images than an echocardiogram done from outside the body.

TEE is especially good at examining the atria and the valves of the heart. It is often used in people who have atrial fibrillation to look for blood clots in the atria, or to see if there is a bacterial infection of the heart valves (endocarditis). TEE is also better than TTE at detecting aortic aneurysms (enlargements of the aorta) and congenital heart defects.

The ultrasound images of the heart provide different kinds of information, including the following:

• Changes in the valves of the heart
• Congenital birth defects such as a hole in the heart wall (septum)
• Diseases of the muscle tissue of the heart (cardiomyopathy, for instance where the heart wall thickens and/or the ventricles are enlarged)
• Disorders affecting the sac around the heart (pericardial disease)
• Problems with the flow or pumping of blood through the heart
• Changes in the heart that could be signs of pulmonary embolism, a tumor, or aortic aneurysm

It is also possible to use an echocardiogram to get a more exact idea of which parts of the heart have been damaged in people who have coronary artery disease (CAD) or who have had a heart attack. If an electrocardiogram (ECG) shows abnormal results, having an echocardiogram too could provide more information.

Echocardiograms can't show the individual coronary arteries – cardiac catheterization or computed tomography (CT) would be needed for that. But the ultrasound images can provide indirect signs of blood flow problems in the coronary arteries. For example, if certain areas of the heart show less movement than normal, it could be a sign of poor blood flow in the coronary arteries.

You usually don't need to prepare for a standard echocardiogram that will be done from outside of your body.

If the transducer needs to be swallowed (TEE), you should not eat or drink anything for at least four hours before the examination. You can eat and drink again about one or two hours after the examination.

Before having an echocardiogram from outside the body (TTE), you will be asked to undress from the waist up. You will usually have to turn to your side a little, and your upper body may be elevated a bit. People sometimes find it difficult to lie on their side during the examination – particularly people who are older and frail, or who are short of breath. It is also possible to have an echocardiogram while lying on your back, but the image quality is a little worse.

The doctor will put some gel on your skin. Light pressure is applied as the transducer is moved across your chest. The images that appear on the monitor can then be saved and analyzed immediately.

In TEE a long, flexible tube is gently inserted into your mouth and moved into your esophagus. Actively swallowing as it goes down helps. If the gag reflex is too strong, a local anesthetic can be sprayed on the back of your throat. Sometimes a mild sedative is also used. Afterwards, you should not drive or ride a bicycle for the rest of the day.

If the examination is done using a transducer outside of your body, it isn't associated with any risks. Ultrasound scans don't emit any radiation.

TEE may trigger a gag reflex or increased salivation. Food pipe injuries are very rare.

If local anesthetics, sedatives or contrast agents are used during the test, side effects such as allergic reactions or breathing problems are possible. Contrast agents may temporarily cause a headache, nausea, anxiety or problems with eyesight and hearing.

The risks associated with stress echocardiograms are similar to those associated with stress electrocardiograms (ECGs). They include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), a sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure, or less oxygen reaching the heart muscle. So doctors need to determine in advance whether you have a higher risk for any of these problems. This also means that the stress test will take place in a room that has the necessary equipment for the doctor to be able to react quickly to any complications.