Echocardiography/Stress Echocardiography/Transesophageal Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a complex imaging technique that relies on the experience and training of both the physician and sonographer. The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL) has developed an accreditation program which evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of an echocardiography laboratory. The Echocardiography Department at Angel Medical Center is accredited by the ICAEL. This echo lab is one of the first one thousand in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

Echocardiogram-
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart which examines the function of the walls and valves in the heart. It can tell the physician if damage exists or if valves are properly functioning.
• Preparation- No prep
• Length of exam- Approximately 30 minutes
• Procedure- You will be asked to lie on your left side and EKG leads will be placed on your chest. The ultrasound technologist will put ultrasound gel on your chest and move the transducer over the area of your heart. You will hear noises when the valves are being examined. Measurements and images will be taken of these areas and will be reviewed by the cardiologist.

Stress Echocardiogram/Dobutamine Echocardiogram-
A stress or dobutamine echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that is performed before and after exercise or pharmacological agents are given. It can show if the heart is receiving the correct blood supply when the exercise images are compared to the resting images.
• Preparation- Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before exam
• Length of exam- Approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours
• Procedure- You will be asked to lie on your left side and EKG leads from the ultrasound machine and treadmill will be hooked to your chest. The ultrasound technologist will take pictures of the heart at rest and after exercise. There is a physician present when the stress portion of the test is done. Measurements and images will be taken of these areas and will be reviewed by the cardiologist.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram-
This test is a new procedure at Angel Medical Center. It consists of the cardiologist inserting a special transducer into the patients mouth and having the patient swallow until the probe is at the level of the heart. Detailed images of the heart are taken with the cardiologist present.
• Preparation- Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam
• Length of exam- 2 to 3 hours depending on recovery time
• Procedure- A nurse will spray numbing medication into the patients throat. A sedative may be given during this procedure if the patient cannot easily swallow the tube. The tube is passed down to the level of the heart by the cardiologist and detailed images of the heart are taken. Due to the amount of sedatives given, the recovery time my vary.

Results-
Please contact your physician for the results of your test. The results will be available within a couple of days. The cardiologist is the physician that interprets these tests.

This page is intended for educational purposes only. This should not replace medical advice from your physician. Please call your physician if you have medical questions concerning your health. For any questions about the procedure, please contact the radiology department.