What is echocardiography (echocardiogram)?

By Cristiano Antonino On Feb 21, 2023

Echocardiography is a method by which the heart and blood flow through the valves are studied using ultrasound

Unlike the radiation used in radiology, ultrasound is harmless, so no precautions are necessary and the test can be performed on any patient countless times (even in pregnant women).

What is echocardiography used for?

Echocardiography makes it possible to obtain information on the contractility of the heart, the morphology of its valves and the flow of blood in its cavities, both at rest and after exercise or taking a drug.

There are various ways of performing it:

transthoracic echocardiography,
transesophageal echocardiography (endoscopic),
3D echocardiography (three-dimensional).

Who can perform echocardiography?

There are no particular contraindications to echocardiography: anyone can undergo the test.

How does echocardiography work?

The patient must lie bare-chested on the couch of the sonographer, who will place electrodes on his chest.

Then the sonographer will spread a special gel on the patient’s chest and on the transducer, a probe which, when placed on the chest, emits ultrasound which, reflected and processed by the equipment, makes it possible to visualise the heart and its structures.

The probe is moved over the chest with gentle pressure.

The patient may be asked to remain still or breathe deeply.

At the end of the test, the electrodes will be removed and all that remains is to wipe off the gel left on the chest.

The total duration of the test is approximately 10-15 minutes.