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An echocardiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to record moving images and investigate blood flow within the heart. The pictures taken provide valuable information about how the different parts of the heart (muscles, valves, etc.) are functioning. It can also be useful in detecting abnormal conditions such as blood clots, infection and heart defects.
An intraoperative real time 3-D echocardiogram displaying mitral valve prolapse, a valvular heart disorder in which one or both mitral valve leaflets close incompletely often resulting in mitral regurgitation (backward flow of blood into the atrium). |
Services
here are different types of echocardiograms depending on the information needed:
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram
(2D Echo Doppler) – images of the heart are taken with the use of a probe (transducer) placed on the chest wall. - Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - a flexible tube with an ultrasound scope at its tip is placed in the food pipe very close to the heart allowing for better images.
- Stress Echocardiogram (Stress Echo) – exercise or medication is given to examine your heart when it is working hard.
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