Echocardiography

Overview

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. It is painless and does not use radiation. The most common type is done by moving a probe over the chest (transthoracic echo).

Why it is done

• To check how well the heart muscle pumps
• To assess the heart valves for narrowing or leaks
• To look for holes in the heart or other structural problems
• To investigate breathlessness, swelling or heart murmurs

Types of echocardiogram

• Transthoracic echo: the probe is moved over the chest
• Transoesophageal echo (TEE): a thin probe is passed into the food pipe for clearer images, with a throat spray and sedation
• Stress echo: images are taken before and after exercise or a medicine that makes the heart work harder

Before the test

No special preparation is needed for a standard echo. For a transoesophageal echo, you will be asked not to eat or drink for several hours.

During and after the test

A standard echo takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Gel is applied to the chest and you may be asked to change position. You can go home straight afterwards. After a transoesophageal echo, do not eat or drink until your throat is no longer numb.

Risks

A standard echo has no known risks. A transoesophageal echo can cause a sore throat and, rarely, injury to the throat or food pipe.

At KIH

KIH's cardiology service offers echocardiography through the chest or oesophagus, including stress studies.