An echocardiogram , often referred to in the medical community as a cardiac ECHO or simply an ECHO , is a sonogram of the heart (it is not abbreviated as ECG, which in medicine usually refers to an electrocardiogram ). Also known as a cardiac ultrasound , it uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart. The latest ultrasound systems now employ 3D real-time imaging. In addition to creating two-dimensional pictures of the cardiovascular system, an echocardiogram can also produce accurate assessment of the velocity of blood and cardiac tissue at any arbitrary point using pulsed or continuous wave Doppler ultrasound . This allows assessment of cardiac valve areas and function, any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), and calculation of the cardiac output as well as the ejection fraction . Other parameters measured include cardiac dimensions (luminal diameters and septal thicknesses) and E/A ratio . Echocardiography was an early medical application of ultrasound. Echocardiography was also the first application of intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound . This technique injects gas-filled microbubbles into the venous system to improve tissue and blood delineation. Contrast is also currently being evaluated for its effectiveness in evaluating myocardial perfusion. It can also be used with Doppler ultrasound to improve flow-related measurements (see Doppler echocardiography ). Echocardiography is performed by cardiac sonographers , cardiac physiologists (UK) or doctors trained in cardiology .
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Premium Questions (41)
My echocardiogram had alot of different colors blue red Orange yellow and white what does the colors mean.
How can I get a very confidential appointment with a cardiologist in Mumbai in mid July for full cardiac assessment including echocardiogram and how much will it cost? Have no referral but am desperate for confidential attention.
hello, and thank you, I had a abnormal EKG with some inverted T waves, my doctor scheduled me to have a echocardiogram and 48 hr monitor , I did those last week, The cardiologist office called today, to schedule me a Stress test, I have not heard...
Hi, I managed to grab a snapshot of a short report of an echocardiogram. It is concerning to me. I just want to know what this bit of info means. I know it is not complete, but just want to understand it.
Hi a few days ago I was awoken with pain in my left arm and upper back. It was on and off but after going up my basement stairs i became moderatley out of breath, so I went to the ER. They gave me an ekg and blood...
Hi! I recently went to my doctor for chest pain and high heart rate. I am otherwise a health 29 year old female non smoker. He ran several blood tests that all came back fine except for d dimer and that came back...
I have experianced very many periods of very heavy sweating over the last few years in situations that were very cool. I'm a 37 year old male with a "perfect heart and blood flow" I recently had a echocardiogram and...
I just had an echocardiogram. there was a lot of red, and some blue and orange. Do these colors mean anything. On the pictures of my heart that were in color, at least 1/2 my heart was red.
I had an echocardiogram today. There were many colors. What does the orange color mean?
My echo cardiogram report shows good systolic function, but reduced diastolic compliance (impaired).
What does this imply? Do I need treatment or change in life style. I am 75 years, retired but active.
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Online Doctor Chat (14) - Echocardiography
User : my bay is both with big hearth what does that means
Doctor : Hi,
User : hello
User : my baby is born with a big heart
User : what does that means is it someting to worry
User : hello
Doctor : its cardiomegaly , it could be normal o...
Doctor : Hi,
Doctor :
User : hello
User : my 10 year old daughter is very weak in her arms and legs cant move hardly
User : I took her to Emergency the did blood test, CT Scan and MRI and found nothing
Doctor : ok,
User : they think it is...
User : Hi Doc, I wanna know that what tests shall I undergo if i experience a pain in heart?
Doctor : Hi
Doctor : 1.ECG
Doctor : 2.Echocardiography
Doctor : 3.Certain blood tests like-
Doctor : Lipid profile,
Doctor : Blood sugar...
User : The more I relax laying down I can feel my heart beeting in my chest thumping away every time i breath in it feels like my heart is going to stop or miss a beat. I'm also a bit disie
Doctor : Hi,
User : Hello
Doctor : May I know your age...
User : Hey im a 17 year old boy and i got a large hole in my chest that im born with , i have searched a long time on youtube and founded some movies with nuss bar removal .. ehm i was vundering how do i get my hole away! .. im very sad about it...
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Public Forum (99) - Echocardiography
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I am male aged 38. I smoke occasionally. I did a echo cardiogram test , electrocardiogram test and Tread mill? test in July 06. I did these tests as I had pain in my chest . All the reports were normal. Can any cardiologist tell me wether I have to take the tests again as I feel slight pain in my chest for a few seconds which goes away.
2 Answers
I have been getting chest and jaw pain for quite some time now. I also have pain in both my arms and shoulders, but I feel it more in my left arm and shoulder, and at times I feel the pain in the left side of my face. My doctor said that I have a heart murmur and I am scheduled for an echocardiogram next week. My question is: Will the heart...
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when u get an echocardiogram and the tech doesn't say anything is that a good sign.? I had a chest xray done last week and I was told that my heart was enlarged. Today I had an echocardigram done. The tech didn t say anything and he scheduled my doctors appt for 10 days away. Is that a good sign or does it normally take that much time to get the...
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If im getting an echocardiogram do you leave anything on for it if your a girl? To me more specific can i keep my bra on or EVERYTHING has to come off. Because im really self conscious :S
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I recently got diagnosed with one and waiting for my echocardiogram results to come in. I want to know how people can get them, and what can make the murmur worse? I m really worried. I forgot a couple questions, Why is my doctor making me take penicillin/amoxcillin before I go to the dentist? How can my body develop infection just because I...
1 Answer
I have been healthy all my life, recentkly I haver been having edema in my ankles so a few weeks ago I went for the f=irst time to an internal medicine dr. he said hears a heart murmur thru his stethoscope no dr ever told me that before and so a week ago i went for an echocardiogram and Monday a liver ultrasound (i have hep c) which I have not...
1 Answer
my echocardiographic report reveals- SINUS VENOSUS ASD (10mm) L- R SHUNT (SVCTYPE) RUPV- RA OTHER PULMONARY VEINS (N); RA / RV VOLUME OVERLOAD+ WHAT IS THE REMEDY AND WHAT IS TO BE IMMEDIATELY DONE
1 Answer
this was determined in the results of a echocardiogram
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i had a echo cardiogram,and found out all 4 chambers of my heart are enlarged,is that serious? i had a echo cardiogram,and found out all 4 chambers of my heart are enlarged,is that serious?
1 Answer
My doctor wants me to get an echo-cardiogram because she thinks that I might have a leaky heart valve . What happens during the procedure and what about leaky heart valves ?
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