Echocardiography

ECHO CARDIOGRAPHY

What is an Echocardiography

Echocardiography, also known as an ultrasound of the heart, is a safe, noninvasive diagnostic test used to examine the heart by creating images out of sound waves. This helps determine the size and shape of the heart, as well as how well the different components are functioning.Echocardiography Beverly Hills

An Echocardiography can help evaluate the structures of the heart, as well as the direction of blood flow within it. Technicians specially trained in echocardiography produce the images and videos, often using a special probe or transducer that is placed in various places on the chest wall, to view the heart from different directions. Cardiologists, or heart specialists, are trained to evaluate these images to assess heart function and provide a report of the results. The echocardiogram is just one of the many tests that can be done to evaluate heart anatomy and function.

An echocardiogram can be used to examine:

  • The size and function of the heart
  • The strength of the heart muscles
  • Heart valve malfunctions: Blockage or Leakiness (valvular regurgitation or stenosis)
  • Heart structure abnormalities
  • Problems in the aorta
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatments

 

During the test, a bit of gel is placed on your chest, and a hand-held wand called a transducer is passed over your torso. You should take your medications as you normally would and you may eat before the test.

What Does an Echocardiogram Show?

The echocardiogram provides doctors with important information about the heart, such as:

Size of the heart. The echocardiogram is useful for measuring the size of the heart chambers and thickness of the heart muscle.

Pumping strength. The test shows whether the heart is pumping at full strength or is weakened. It can also help determine whether the various parts of the heart pump equally.

Valve problems. The test shows the shape and motion of the heart valves. It can help determine if a valve is narrowed or leaking and can help show how severe the problem is.

Other uses. The test is also used to detect the presence of fluid around the heart, blood clots or masses inside the heart, and abnormal holes between heart chambers.

The results of the test are often used to diagnose high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, aneurysms or other heart conditions. The test will take approximately 1 hour by a trained Beverly Hills Cardiologist.

 

Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

A Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) is an alternative way to perform an echocardiogram, in which a specialized probe is inserted into the patient’s esophagus (throat, similar to an endoscopy) and creates a visual image of the heart. This procedure is also used to determine shape and size of the heart, as well as functionality. However, unlike regular echocardiograms, TEEs are able to view certain structures more clearly, including the aorta, pulmonary artery, heart valves and coronary arteries. TEEs are also highly sensitive to detecting blood clots in the left atrium as well as infections of the heart valves.

In order to discover more about Echocardiography and its implications please view this PDF by the American Heart Association.

If you live in Beverly Hills or the greater Los Angeles area and are interested in other services we offer please visit our service page for a complete list. 

 

 

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