ECHO

Echocardiography Overview

Echocardiography is a non-invasive technique that employs ultrasound imaging techniques it provides similar images, and weighs ultrasound as one of the components. Sometimes called an “echo,” this ultrasound imaging of the heart makes it possible to assess cardiac anatomy, function, valve motion, and blood flow between the heart chambers and the great vessels; and screening for cardiac muscle motion anomalies. It is an essential technique for diagnosing and treating cardiac problems in a large number of patients and many circumstances. 

The preparation an individual will have to do for an echocardiogram will depend on the kind of echocardiogram that is to be performed. Standard combination transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) does not require any special diet however, stress echo or transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) may have requirements such as nil by mouth before the procedure or fail to take medications. 

What is an echocardiogram? 

Echocardiogram is a live image of a heart which is captured with the aid of high frequency sound waves, ultrasound, which are aimed at the heart with the help of a small device, transducer, placed on the surface of the chest. With the echoes formed as the sound waves strike the internal structures of the heart, a computer processes these echoes into images. 

Technology and Method: 

1. Visualizes the heart using ultrasonic technology. 

• Electronic echocardiographic transducers induce ultrasound waves which reflect different structures in the heart. 
• These echo signals are digitally captured by a computer, the transmitted signals called radio frequencies are used to make a three dimensional real time image of the heart organ. 

How It Works: 

1. Most often the patient lies down on his back or slightly on the side. 
2. The technician moves the transducer crosswise on the chest to get images of different regions of the heart. 
3. Applying gel on the chest enhances the conduction of the sound waves and ensures clear images of the heart. 

Types of Echocardiography 

There is a variety of echocardiograms, it varies by the urgency and the requirement for the diagnosis: 

Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE): 

1. The most commonly performed echocardiogram would be the TTE. It is noninvasive and conducted through the chest wall. 

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): 

1. In order to get better postimages of the heart, a probe is placed through the Esophagus into the heart that allows for a better view of the structures. 

Stress Echocardiogram: 

• Stress tests are performed either physically by the patient or by providing medication that stimulates the heart for observation purposes. 

Doppler Echocardiogram: 

• A Doppler echocardiogram evaluates the pressure and blood flow alteration across the valves of the heart. 

List of Parameters Considered During Echocardiography

So as to perform an optimal echo, several parameters are taken into consideration – 

Heart Chambers Sizes & Function: 

• It is the measurement of the size and wall motion of the heart chambers. 

Valve Function: 

• This involves observing the functioning of the valves and the presence of stenosis or regurgitation. 

Ejection Fraction: 

• Fraction evaluation of blood which is emptied from the ventricles after every beat. 

Adjacent Heart Structures: 

• Structures along the major blood vessel like the aorta and inferior vena-caval sites are evaluated. 

Depending on age or any previous heart ailments, there might be a need for changing parameters in the image capturing process. 

Reasons for Taking an Echocardiography

An echocardiogram may be prescribed by the doctors for diagnosis in a range of conditions or symptoms for example: 

Cardiac Symptoms: 

• It is the case of difficulty in breathing coupled with chest pain, or tiredness without an explanation. 

Suspected Heart Disease: 

• This can include heart murmurs or arrhythmias. 

Monitoring: 

• This can include follow-up in heart failure or post-cardiac surgery. 

Benefits of Taking the Test

Echocardiography is associated with more than a couple of benefits: 

• Non-invasive and Painless: 
• In most cases, patients are not required to be sedated or exposed to radiation during any of the transformation. 
• Real-time Imaging: 
• It enables to observe the heart and what it does, at that very instant. 
• Diagnosis and Treatment Follow-up: 
• It is helpful in the diagnosis of heart pathologies, to monitor the results of surgical treatment and, when necessary, to plan future surgeries. 

Illnesses Diagnosed with Echocardiography

Echocardiography is useful in the evaluation of a number of heart diseases including: 

• Cardiomyopathy 
• Heart Valve Diseases (Stenosis, Regurgitation) 
• Congenital Heart Defects 
• Pericardial Disease 
• Pulmonary Hypertension 
• Aortic Dissection 

Preparing for Echocardiography

Depending on the particular echocardiogram, special imaging instructions may be necessary: 

TTE: 

• No special preparation needed. 
• Recommended to wear comfortable clothes to the procedure. 

TEE or Stress Echo: 

• Some tests may last several hours necessitating some fasting. 
• The patient is Expected to Avoid caffeine and other specific heart medications for a day before going through the procedure. 

Pre-requisites 

A number of patients may require further preparation before undergoing some forms of echocardiograms such as TEE: 

• Fasting: 
• Some procedures may require the patient to abstain from food for approximately 6-8 hours prior to the scans. 
• Medication Adjustments: 
• Some patients may need to stop taking their medications for heart issues as prescribed by physicians during the imaging tests. 

Best Time to Have the Echocardiography 

With regard to their urgency and regard for the patient, echo tests can be conducted at any hour. No circadian variations test performance throughout these tests. 

Eligibility 

Most, if not all, patients exhibiting signs or having cardiac related problems can be recommended for an echocardiogram. An exception might be those with esophageal conditions impacting TEE eligibility and alternative arrangements are needed. 

Taking an Echocardiography Procedure 

This is the general procedure for carrying out an echocardiogram on a patient. 

Preparation: 

1. The patient is made to change into a hospital gown. 
2. Gel is placed on the chest in order to enhance the transmission of sound waves. 

SLD Execution: 

1. The transducer is placed on the different views of the heart on the patients chest. 
2. The patient will sometimes be asked to move her position so the heart can be seen from different angles, which at times might lead to the patient having holding the breath for brief periods. 

Duration: 

1. The average time taken for an entire test spans from thirty to sixty minutes. 

Warnings Before the Test 

Discuss Health Concerns: 

• Tell your physician about swallowing issues that you may have which could make TEE difficult. 

Obey Rules: 

• If there are fasting or medications that must be taken prior to the test then those must be followed.