What exactly is an Echocardiogram?
An Echocardiogram or “Echo” is a specialized ultrasound of the heart. This procedure is designed to examine the structure and function of the heart. Some of the main structures that are visualized in a routine study include the heart muscle tissue, heart valves, heart chambers and great vessels. Different ultrasound modes conducted as part of our normal Echo allow blood flow analysis and calculation of pressure gradients within the heart. The study also includes quantitative assessment of cardiac mass, chamber size and function.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
There is no preparation for this exam. However all the clothing from the waist up will need to be removed (a patient gown will be provided). Therefore it is recommended that a two piece outfit is worn by all patients.
How is the procedure performed?
The patient is required to lie on their left hand side with the left arm slightly raised and the right arm by the right side. The Sonographer will place 3 small electrodes (sticky dots) on the chest and connect these to the ultrasound machine. This allows the patient’s heart rhythm to be seen at the bottom of the ultrasound screen. The technician then places a small amount of water soluble ultrasound gel on the end of a small probe. The probe is held against the patient’s chest in order to obtain the ultrasound images. All the images are digitally stored and then reviewed by a Cardiologist. An Echo report will then be sent to the patients referring doctor.
Procedure Time: 45 minutes
What is an ECG?
The ECG is a record of the overall spread of electrical activity through the heart. The electrical currents generated by the cardiac muscle spread into the tissues surrounding the heart and are conducted through the body fluids. A small portion of this electrical activity reaches the body surface where it can be detected using recording electrodes. The record produced is an electrocardiogram (ECG).
How should I prepare for the procedure?
Please avoid applying lotion or skin creams on the day of the test as it may prevent the electrodes from sticking. Ladies should try to avoid wearing stockings as stickers will need to be placed on the lower limbs.
How is the procedure performed?
12 sticky dots (electrodes) are placed on your chest in positions surrounding your heart. Leads, which are connected to the ECG machine, are then connected to the dots on your chest. The technician performing your test will review your ECG on a computer screen and will print it out once they are happy with the quality of the ECG.
Procedure time: 15 minutes
What exactly is a Stress Echocardiogram?
A Stress Echo is a specialized ultrasound of the heart incorporating exercise to assess the function of the heart under stress. This procedure examines the structure and function of the heart before and after exercise.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
No food or drink 2 hours before having the test. You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking on a treadmill. A 2 piece outfit and trainers would be ideal.
How is the procedure performed?
Your skin is prepared for the ECG electrodes (sticky dots) by shaving (for men) and wiping with an alcohol swab to clean the area of skin. ECG electrodes are placed on the cleaned areas and the leads from the ECG machine are attached to the dots.
You be asked to lie on a bed on your left side and a sonographer will take ultrasound images of your heart at rest. This will take approximately 20 minutes. You will then be asked to stand on the treadmill to begin the exercise part of the test.
The technician will take your blood pressure at rest (they will keep an eye on your blood pressure and heart rate throughout the test). The test on the treadmill is set up in stages. The first stage is a slow walking pace with the next stages increasing in both speed and incline. You will not be required to walk as fast as you are capable of. The goal of the walking phase is to increase your heart rate to a certain level. Once you have reached either the target heart rate or the Cardiologist feels you have done enough, you will be quickly taken from the treadmill and back onto the bed (in the same position as before). The sonographer will take more ultrasound images of your heart while your heart rate is increased. This will take approximately 90 seconds. The Cardiologist will then be able to compare the images of your heart at rest with the images of your heart after exercise.
Procedure Time: 75 minutes
What exactly is a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram?
It is a specialized ultrasound test to assess the function of the heart under stress. This test can be used for patients who are unable to or would have difficulty in walking on the treadmill. This procedure examines the structure and function of the heart as the heart rate is increased using medication.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
No food or drink 2 hours before the test.
How is the procedure performed?
Your skin is prepared for the ECG electrodes (sticky dots) by shaving (for men) and wiping with an alcohol swab to clean the area of skin. ECG electrodes are placed on the cleaned areas and the leads from the ECG machine are attached to the dots.
You then lie on a bed on your left side where a sonographer will take ultrasound images of your heart at rest. This will take approximately 20 minutes. The Cardiologist will then place a small needle in your arm to administer the medication. The medication will be administered at a progressive rate until your target heart rate is reached. This can take up to 30 minutes. As your heart rate is increasing, the sonographer will be continuously taking images of your heart. Once the target heart rate is reached the medication will be turned off and your heart rate will return to normal in approximately 10 minutes.
The Cardiologist will then be able to compare the images of your heart at rest with the images of your heart at its peak heart rate.
Procedure Time: 1 hour
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