Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound image of the heart that utilizes sound waves to examine the structure and function of the heart muscle, chambers, and valves. Doppler echocardiography uses sound waves to determine blood flow (direction and velocity) in the heart. An echocardiogram is invaluable in determining enlargement of the heart chambers, regurgitation or stenosis of the heart valves, pumping function of the heart muscle, and presence of fluid in the sac surrounding the heart. A transthoracic echocardiogram is performed using a probe placed on the skin of the chest. A transesophageal echocardiogram is performed using a probe that is placed down the esophagus to obtain a much more detailed view of certain structures in the heart.