What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, or “echo”, is a type of ultrasound scan used to look at the heart structure, primarily the valves and ventricular function. The most common form of echo is transthoracic (TTE). Depending on the type of information required, a more invasive procedure namely transoesophageal echo (TOE) may be performed.

A transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that create returning echoes when they bounce off heart structures and blood cells. These returning echoes are picked up by the electronic crystals in the probe and turned into a moving image that is displayed on a monitor while the scan is carried out.

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The test will normally be carried out at a hospital or clinic, by a cardiologist or a cardiac physiologist. For basic details on an ECHO of a normal heart see Common Cardiac Investigations: Echocardiogram (ECHO).

How a TransThoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) is carried out

For a TTE, ideally, the patient will be asked to lie on their left side. This brings the heart forward in the chest cavity, enabling better imaging between the ribs and around the lungs. An ECG is attached to help allow the operator to assess the rhythm and as an aid in making the correct measurements. Ultrasound gel is used as a transmitter and the probe is placed in several different positions around the chest to enable the operator to see as much as possible.

The procedure is generally pain free but can be a little uncomfortable.

The whole procedure will normally take between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the information required, the complexity of the study required and the ease with which the images are seen.

Benefits of echo	Disadvantages
Instant analysis of images can aid clinician on medical or surgical decision making There are no known risks with this procedure	Time consuming Requires experienced operator Quality of images dependant upon good echo subject e.g poor imaging in obese people/ COPD/ chest trauma or radiotherapy and further more complex imaging may be required such as transoesophageal echo or cardiac MRI.

The following case study 04: Acute Coronary Syndrome: Case 2: Joan shows the use of echocardiography in clinical practice.

See Additional Information,below, for a British Heart Foundation video of a patient undergoing a echocardiograph.

i Additional Information

Page last reviewed: 30 Jul 2020