ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Ultrasound of the heart uses sound waves to picture the inside of the heart.  Measurements are made to evaluate the size of the heart, the thickness of the walls of the heart, evaluate the heart valves, and to visualize how well the heart muscle squeezes.

Our physicians perform this test at the hospital. This study is another way of doing ultrasound of the heart. A special ultrasound probe is passed through the mouth into the esophagus and behind the heart. Ultrasound images are taken of the inside of the heart. These images are very clear. This test is used when clear pictures of the heart cannot be obtained from the outside of the chest during an echo. The patient will receive light sedation for this test.