SPDX: ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

• Echocardiography utilizes ultrasound to produce images of the heart and vascular structures and to provide information about the direction and velocity of blood flow within these structures.
• ECHOCARDIOGRAM is an ultrasound test that checks the structure and function of your heart.
• An ECHOCARDIOGRAM can diagnose a range of conditions including cardiomyopathy and valve disease.
• Ultrasound refers to sound waves with a frequency well beyond the range of human hearing.
• Ultrasound providers often combine echo with Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler techniques to evaluate blood flow across your heart’s valves.
• Echocardiography uses no radiation. This makes an echo different from other tests like X-rays and CT scans that use small amounts of radiation.
• Pulse generator – applies high amplitude voltage to energize the crystals.
• Transducer – converts electrical energy to mechanical (ultrasound) energy and vice versa.
• Receiver – detects and amplifies weak signals.
• Display – displays ultrasound signals in a variety of mode.
• Memory – stores video display.
• The technician will also apply a gel to the transducer that improves the conduction of sound waves.
• The technician will move the transducer back and forth over the chest to record images of soundwave echoes from the heart.
• M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY is useful for measuring or viewing heart structures, such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size of the heart itself, and the thickness of the heart walls.
• M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY provides a single line of information at a higher frame rate than can be obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography.
• M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY is a technique enhances accurate determination of linear dimensions and improves quantitation of chamber size and wall thickness.
• DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY is used to measure and assess the flow of blood through the heart's chambers and valves.
• DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY can also detect abnormal blood flow within the heart.
• COLOR DOPPLER is an enhanced form of Doppler echocardiography.
• COLOR DOPPLER assesses blood flow based on changes in the ultrasonographic signal due to the movement of erythrocytes relative to the transducer.
• 2-D ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY is a technique is used to "see" the actual motion of the heart structures.
• 2-D ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY view appears cone-shaped on the monitor, and the real-time motion of the heart's structures can be observed.
• 3D echo shows enhanced views of the heart's anatomy.
• 3D echo captures three-dimensional views of the heart structures with greater detail than 2-D echo.
• TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM is the most common type of echocardiography.
• TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM - a device called a transducer will be placed on your chest over your heart.
• Transthoracic echocardiography is painless and noninvasive.
• TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM is a test requires that the transducer be inserted down the throat into the esophagus.
• TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM provides superior image quality, particularly for posterior cardiac structures which are nearer to the esophagus and less well visualized on transthoracic echocardiography.
• STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM is performed while the person exercises on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.
• STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM - to visualize the motion of the heart's walls and pumping action when the heart is stressed.
• INTRAVASCULAR ECHOCARDIOGRAM is a form of echocardiography performed during cardiac catheterization.
• INTRAVASCULAR ECHOCARDIOGRAM uses a transducer or probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the insides of blood vessels.
• INTRAVASCULAR ECHOCARDIOGRAM s used to provide detailed information about the atherosclerosis.
• FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM uses sound waves to check the heart of your developing baby.
• FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM can help find heart defects before birth. If a heart problem can be found early, the more likely treatment will work.
• A technician called a cardiac sonographer performs your echo. They’re trained in performing echo tests and using the most current technology.
• A technician called a cardiac sonographer are prepared to work in a variety of settings including hospital rooms and catheterization labs.