What is the resting cardiac echocolordoppler (or echocardiogram)?

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 13, 2023

The resting cardiac echocolordoppler (or echocardiogram) is a test through which the doctor can visualise the heart on a special computer, called an echocardiograph, thanks to the ultrasound transmitted by the probe that is placed on the patient’s chest

Through this test, the cardiologist can visualise the heart chambers, measure their size, assess the pumping function of the heart and the state of the heart valves.

What is the resting cardiac echocolordoppler used for?

With the resting cardiac echocolordoppler, the physician can identify almost all heart diseases and monitor their development over time.

This information is also relevant in patients suffering from a cardiac arrhythmia.

In particular, with the resting echocardiogram it is possible to perform

the qualitative and quantitative assessment of heart valve disease
the assessment of the size and movement of the heart walls
the assessment of congenital heart disease
evaluation of the outcome of cardiac surgery

How is the resting cardiac echocolordoppler performed?

The cardiac echocolordoppler is performed like any other ultrasound scan: the patient lies on a couch while the doctor slides the probe over his chest, at heart level, after having rubbed some gel on his chest.

It is not an invasive, dangerous or painful test and has no contraindications.