It is a noninvasive test to assess cardiac structure & function.

An echocardiogram is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart. In addition to providing single-dimension images, known as M-mode echo that allows accurate measurement of the heart chambers, the echocardiogram also offers far more sophisticated and advanced imaging. This is known as two- dimensional (2-D) Echo and is capable of displaying a cross-sectional "slice" of the beating heart, including the chambers, valves and the major blood vessels that arise from the left and right ventricle.In addition real time 3D echocardiography is available.

An echocardiogram can be obtained in a physician's office or in the hospital. For a resting echocardiogram (in contrast to a stress echo or TEE, discussed elsewhere) no special preparation is necessary. Clothing from the upper body is removed and covered by a gown or sheet to keep you comfortable and maintain the privacy of females. The patient then lies on an examination table or a hospital bed.

Sticky patches or electrodes are attached to the chest and shoulders and connected to electrodes or wires. These help to record the electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) during the echocardiography test. The EKG helps in the timing of various cardiac events (filling and emptying of chambers). A colorless gel is then applied to the chest and the echo transducer is placed on top of it. The Echocardiographer then makes recordings from different parts of the chest to obtain several views of the heart. Instructions may also be given for you to breathe slowly or to hold your breath.

Echo (Cardiac Ultrasound) can be very helpful to:

Is very helpful in evaluation of various types of heart diseases.
Is very helpful in Diagnosing and determining the extent of valve damage and guides in planning for operation or intervention.
Assess the motion of the chamber walls and the extent of damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack.
Determine if fluid is collecting around the heart.
Identify presence of tumors/ infection (I.E.) in the heart.
Assess for and monitor congenital heart defects.
Assess EF (ejection fraction) i.e. pumping efficiency of heart.
Rule out any of the above mentioned abnormalities.

What is EF?

Ejection Fraction (EF) is a key indicator of heart's health and is frequently used to determine the pumping function of the heart. Simply stated, EF is the amount of blood pumped out of the heart during each beat or contraction. In a healthy heart, 50-75% of the blood is pumped out during each beat. This indicates that the heart is pumping well and able to deliver an adequate supply of blood to the body and brain. Many people with heart failure and heart disease pump out less than 50%. Heart failure (also known as congestive heart failure) is a condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the oxygen demands of the body. How is EF Measured?

A commonly used test to determine your EF is an echocardiogram or "echo." This is simple and painless test, often performed right in the doctor's office. By using ultrasound or sound waves, measurements are taken of the heart and with these measurements the pumping function the heart is calculated.

What is the difference between and echocardiogram and an ECG?

An echo shows a moving image of a beating heart on a television-like screen while the sonographer performs the test. An ECG/EKG, or electrocardiogram, measures the electrical currents in the heart. These are different diagnostic techniques used to obtain different information. The EKG tells about the electrical health of the heart while the echocardiogram tells health of the heart walls and valves.