Echocardiogram (echo)
An echocardiogram (echo) is a type of ultrasound examination that uses high-pitched sound waves sent through a device called a transducer to produce an image of the heart and sometimes the aorta.
An echocardiogram measures how well the heart is working by evaluating blood flow, heart valves, and heart size, thickness, shape, and muscle movement.
The different types of echocardiograms are:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), in which a transducer is moved over different locations on the chest or abdomen.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), in which the transducer is passed down the esophagus (the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach) to provide clearer pictures of the heart.
- Stress echocardiogram, in which the echocardiogram is done before and after the heart is stressed by exercise or medicine.
Why is an echocardiogram done?
An echocardiogram is done for many reasons. It can measure how well your heart is pumping blood. It can show blood flow through the heart and blood vessels. It may be done to look for problems with your heart size, thickness, shape, and muscle movement. The test can also be used to see how well your heart valves work and if there are blood clots or tumors inside the heart.
Echocardiogram for Children
What do the results of an echocardiogram mean?
Results are usually available within one day. If the test is done by a cardiologist, the results may be available immediately after the test.
Normal: | The heart chambers and walls of the heart are of normal size and thickness, and they move normally. |
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Heart valves are working normally, with no leaks or narrowing. There is no sign of infection. | |
The amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle with each heartbeat (ejection fraction) is normal. | |
There is no excess fluid in the sac surrounding the heart, and the lining around the heart is not thickened. | |
There are no tumors and blood clots in the heart chambers. | |
Abnormal: | Heart chambers are too big. The walls of the heart are thicker or thinner than normal. A thin heart wall may mean poor blood flow to the heart muscle or an old heart attack. A thin, bulging area of the heart wall may indicate a bulge in the ventricle (ventricular aneurysm). The heart muscle walls do not move normally because of a decreased blood supply from narrowed coronary arteries. |
| One or more heart valves do not open or close properly (are leaking) or do not look normal. Signs of infection are present. | |
| The amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle with each heartbeat (ejection fraction) is lower than normal. | |
| There is fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion). The lining around the heart is too thick. | |
| A tumor or blood clot may be found in the heart. |
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