Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a scan that uses sound waves to examine the heart and surrounding blood vessels. These sound waves create echoes when they bounce off different parts of the heart and blood vessels, creating a moving image that displays the heart while it's beating.

When an echocardiogram is used

Echocardiograms are usually requested by your GP or cardiologist when there is a concern with cardiologist to view the structure of your heart and assess blood flow. If you are showing the following symptoms, you may need an echocardiogram:

• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swelling of the legs
• Heart murmurs

Conditions that we can detect using an echocardiogram include:

• Heart failure
• Congenital heart disease
• Pericardial disease
• A recent heart attack or damage from one
• Blood clots
• Endocarditis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Aneurysm
• Tumours

Your cardiologist may also perform an echocardiogram before and after an invasive surgical procedure to check for blood clots.

How echocardiograms work

Two primary types of echocardiograms are used to detect heart conditions: a TTE and a TOE. Which you have will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your condition.

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

A TTE is the most common echocardiogram used to diagnose heart conditions by creating ultrasound waves.

During the assessment, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie on the patient bed. The specialist will then attach sensors called electrodes to your chest that are connected to the ultrasound monitor. After applying a lubricating gel, you will be asked to lie on your left side, and the specialist will move the ultrasound probe across your chest.

You will be able to see the moving images of your heart on the ultrasound monitor as the specialist explains the results. The entire procedure can take up to an hour.

Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

The transoesophageal echocardiogram is more advanced and invasive than the TTE because it takes a more internal approach and receives more precise imaging. Using an endoscope telescope travelling down your oesophagus, we can see directly into the heart chambers.

Due to the nature of a TOE, it can be quite uncomfortable. In this case, we use local anaesthesia and a sedative to make the experience more relaxing. You will be asked to lie on the patient bed while the specialist prepares the endoscope and transducer. The endoscope is placed in the back of your throat and adjusted throughout to capture various angles of your heart.

The transducer will send moving images to the ultrasound monitor, allowing you and the specialist to see inside your heart and the surrounding blood vessels. This way, we are able to perform a 3D analysis of your heart, which is especially helpful in complex valvular assessments. Due to the nature of this procedure, it is done in hospital and can take between 15 minutes to an hour in complex congenital cases.

Understanding your echocardiogram results

While we can often provide insight and possible results during the echocardiogram, we may need to analyse the images before providing a concrete diagnosis.

Any concerns noted during the procedure will be addressed in the same procedure, and we may prescribe medication or follow-up testing.

However, in most cases, your images will be analysed, and we will discuss your results in your next appointment.

Risks involved during an echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a safe and painless procedure, but there can be some side effects depending on the type.

A transoesophageal echocardiogram can cause discomfort in your throat afterwards, and it is not uncommon to have minor chest pains.