Echocardiogram

Overview

An echocardiogram (echo), also called a Doppler or heart ultrasound, is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart in adults and children. Just as a baby can be visualized with ultrasound, pictures of the heart can help doctors evaluate the heart’s structures, including the muscles and valves. Doctors may be able to see a hole in the wall that divides the left and right sides of the heart or a deformity of a heart valve, for example, as well as the following:

• The motion of the muscular walls in the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) – This provides insight into the heart’s pumping power.
• The flow of blood within the heart – This can be seen on a color Doppler echocardiogram and helps doctors identify and assess such abnormalities as a leaky heart valve.
• Pressure differences between one part of the heart and another – This can help detect heart muscle or valve problems.

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Types of echocardiography

There are three types of echocardiography:

• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) – This echocardiogram takes images within the thorax (chest) from the skin’s surface without devices entering the body.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – With a TEE test, images are taken from within the esophagus (food pipe). This test can provide more detailed images than traditional echocardiography.
• Intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE) – With an ICE test, images are taken from within the heart, which is usually reached via the vein in the groin. Like a TEE test, an ICE test can provide more detailed images than traditional echocardiography. An angiogram is typically performed with an ICE test.