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Stanford Health Care

Types

Our Approach

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound, or harmless sound waves, to quickly and efficiently obtain valuable information about your heart. Our doctors regularly use an echocardiogram, or echo, when they have questions about the size, shape, and performance of your heart and its valves.

Echocardiography is a versatile tool to help identify heart disease. We offer a full range of possible tests, including newer options that can provide 3-D imaging or fit inside the arteries. We use the type most suited to your heart and your needs.

What Is An Echocardiogram?

Make An Appointment

To request an appointment, call 650-725-2621.

Types

The type of echocardiogram you receive depends on the potential heart problem doctors need to investigate. We offer a full range of echo testing:

  • Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE): Transthoracic is the most common type of echocardiogram and is noninvasive, taking place entirely outside your body. A team member applies gel to your chest, then uses a handheld transducer to scan your heart.
  • 3-D echo: Echocardiography typically shows a flat picture, but our machines can also create 3-D imaging. This technology is particularly helpful for identifying problems with heart valves, replacement heart valves, and the heart’s lower left chamber (left ventricle). We are studying new, additional ways to use 3-D echo.
  • Intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE): Intracardiac echocardiography represents a newer form of testing, with images taken inside your heart. We mostly use this approach to monitor treatments involving the placement of thin tubes called catheters inside your arteries.
  • M-mode echocardiogram: This, the simplest type of echocardiography, produces an image that is similar to a tracing rather than an actual picture of heart structures. M-mode echo is useful for measuring heart structures, such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size of the heart itself, and the thickness of the heart walls.
  • Stress echocardiogram: We may need to run an echocardiogram as part of a comprehensive stress test that deliberately increases your heart rate and blood pressure. We take two sets of images, one at rest, and another after working out on a treadmill or stationary bike. If your health prevents such physical activity, we inject a medication that mimics the effect of exercise. This test is called a pharmacologic stress echocardiogram.
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE): Sometimes the best approach is to guide a special ultrasound probe into your mouth and down your esophagus after sedation. We can take better images, because the esophagus and heart sit close together and the sound waves do not need to pass through skin, muscle, or bone. TEE is a better choice for some conditions. We may also need to see a specific part of the heart with greater resolution. Additionally, obesity and lung disease can interfere with standard echocardiography.
  • Doppler echocardiogram: This technique is used to measure and assess the flow of blood through the heart's chambers and valves. The amount of blood pumped out with each beat is an indication of the heart's functioning. Also, Doppler can detect abnormal blood flow within the heart, which can indicate a problem with one or more of the heart's four valves, or with the heart's walls.

What to Expect

Some preparation is needed before an echocardiogram is performed. There are also specific steps to follow before and after the procedure. Learn more about what to expect below.

  • Before

  • During

  • After

Before the Procedure

The doctor will explain the procedure and offer you the opportunity to ask questions about the procedure. Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required.

Notify the doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements.

Notify the doctor if you have a pacemaker.

Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

During the Procedure

An echocardiogram may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

Generally, an echocardiogram follows this process:

  1. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You may wear glasses, dentures, or hearing aids.
  2. You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
  3. You will lie on a table or bed, positioned on the left side. A pillow or wedge may be placed behind your back for support.
  4. You will be connected to an ECG monitor that records the electrical activity of your heart and monitors your heart during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes. The ECG tracings that record the electrical activity of the heart will be compared to the images displayed on the echocardiogram monitor.
  5. The room will be darkened so that the images on the echo monitor can be viewed by the technologist.
  6. The technologist will place warmed gel on the chest and then place the transducer probe on the gel. You will feel a slight pressure as the technologist positions the transducer to get the desired image of the heart.
  7. During the test, the technologist will move the transducer probe around and apply varying amounts of pressure to obtain images of different locations and structures of the heart. The amount of pressure behind the probe should not be uncomfortable. You should let the technologist know if they are uncomfortable.

After the Procedure

You may resume your usual diet and activities unless your doctor advises differently. Generally, there is no special type of care following an echocardiogram. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.

Before

Before the Procedure

The doctor will explain the procedure and offer you the opportunity to ask questions about the procedure. Generally, no prior preparation, such as fasting or sedation, is required.

Notify the doctor of all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements.

Notify the doctor if you have a pacemaker.

Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.


close Before
During

During the Procedure

An echocardiogram may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of a hospital stay. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

Generally, an echocardiogram follows this process:

  1. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You may wear glasses, dentures, or hearing aids.
  2. You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
  3. You will lie on a table or bed, positioned on the left side. A pillow or wedge may be placed behind your back for support.
  4. You will be connected to an ECG monitor that records the electrical activity of your heart and monitors your heart during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes. The ECG tracings that record the electrical activity of the heart will be compared to the images displayed on the echocardiogram monitor.
  5. The room will be darkened so that the images on the echo monitor can be viewed by the technologist.
  6. The technologist will place warmed gel on the chest and then place the transducer probe on the gel. You will feel a slight pressure as the technologist positions the transducer to get the desired image of the heart.
  7. During the test, the technologist will move the transducer probe around and apply varying amounts of pressure to obtain images of different locations and structures of the heart. The amount of pressure behind the probe should not be uncomfortable. You should let the technologist know if they are uncomfortable.

close During
After

After the Procedure

You may resume your usual diet and activities unless your doctor advises differently. Generally, there is no special type of care following an echocardiogram. However, your doctor may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your needs.


close After