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Types Of Echocardiography Exams
TRANSTHORACIC
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
As detailed above, an echocardiogram is performed to obtain
information on the structure and functions of the heart
and associated blood vessels. |
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STRESS
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
An Exercise Stress Echocardiogram, sometimes called a
stress echo, is a tool used to evaluate heart function
by combining an exercise (stress) test with a transthoracic
echocardiogram. Most often requested to check blood flow
to the heart, a stress echocardiogram uses ultrasound
waves to produce images of the heart both before (sometimes
during) and immediately following exercise. Images of
the heart at rest are compared with images of the heart
during and/or after exercise to evaluate how the heart
responds to exercise.
Patients
with physical limitations that cause them to be unable
to exercise may be given a Pharmacologic Stress Echocardiogram
instead of an Exercise Stress Echocardiogram.
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TRANSESOPHAGEAL
ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TEE)
A Transesophageal Echocardiogram is used to evaluate the
function and small detailed structures of the heart and
associated vessels. The Transesophageal Echocardiogram
is a variation of the Transthoracic Echocardiogram procedure.
The TEE procedure uses ultrasound waves to produce images
of the heart. Performing a TEE involves passing a tube
into the esophagus, or swallowing a tube.
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PEDIATRIC
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
As detailed above, an echocardiogram is performed to obtain
information on the structure and functions of the heart
and associated blood vessels. Most children undergo pediatric
echocardiograms to look for congenital heart defects,
which are abnormalities of the heart that may be present
at birth.
A
congenital heart defect may exist if the pediatrician
or pediatric cardiologist hears a murmur (which is an
abnormal sound made by the heart pumping blood). Some
children undergo echocardiograms to look for causes of
chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting.
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FETAL
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
A fetal echocardiogram uses ultrasound to look at the
heart and major blood vessels of the fetus. Most commonly,
pregnant women undergo a fetal echocardiogram to look
for congenital heart defects, which are abnormalities
of the heart that occur during development. Some pregnant
women are referred for a fetal echocardiogram because
of a heart rate abnormality detected during routine monitoring
of the pregnancy.
A
fetal echocardiogram may be performed routinely beginning
at 18-22 weeks gestation, but an earlier study may occasionally
be indicated. It is an extension of the screening ultrasound
examination that many women undergo performed during their
fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.
A
fetal echocardiogram is able to diagnose only serious
structural abnormalities of the heart. Minor heart defects,
abnormalities involving very small structures, and abnormalities
in the change from a fetal circulation to a newborn circulation
can only be detected after birth.
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The
ICAEL is a nonprofit organization established to provide a mechanism
for the accreditation of facilities that perform echocardiography.
The mission of the ICAEL is to promote high quality echocardiographic
diagnostic evaluations in the delivery of health care by providing
a peer review process of laboratory accreditation.
Excerpts
of this information are taken, with permission, from the American
Society of Echocardiography's Patient Information web site,
www.seemyheart.org,
and copyrighted See My Heart printed patient brochures.
Echocardiography laboratories interested in ordering copies
of patient education brochures from the American Society of
Echocardiography can obtain more information through www.seemyheart.org.
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