An Echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound of the heart designed to examine the structure and function of the heart. Different ultrasound modes allow for blood flow analysis and calculation of pressure gradients within the heart. The study also includes a quantitative assessment of cardiac mass, chamber function and size.
How to Prepare
Before your visit to our Vancouver Diagnostics Centre, your patient advisor will guide you and provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your Echocardiogram.
What to Expect
The entire echocardiogram procedure takes approximately 45 minutes. In preparation for the procedure, you will be asked to lie on your left side with your left arm slightly raised and your right arm by your side.
Your sonographer will place three small electrodes on your chest and connect these to the ultrasound machine. This allows your heart rhythm to be viewed at the bottom of the ultrasound screen. Your technician will then places a small amount of water soluble ultrasound gel on the end of a small probe which is held against your chest in order to obtain the ultrasound images.
All the images are digitally stored and carefully analyzed by one of our expert cardiologists. A detailed echocardiogram report will then be provided to you and your referring doctor.
One Comment
I was wondering before reading this but really good to know that the technician then places a small amount of water-soluble ultrasound gel from a small sensor, which will be held against the chest to obtain ultrasound images.