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Echocardiography
Echocardiography uses high frequency sound waves, much like sonar, to create
a "picture" of the heart in motion. The technique is used to evaluate
the heart's size, interior structures, shape and movements. Two different
types of echocardiography are available at the Saint Francis Heart Center:
Transthoracic echocardiography involves movement of an electronic transducer
over the chest wall to transmit the sound waves through the chest wall to the heart
and then to sense and convey the returned "echoes" to the ultrasound monitor.
While the patient is lying down on a bed or examination table, a jelly-like substance is applied to the
skin to improve the transmission of signals. An exercise echocardiogram utilizes
the same basic procedure, except that the examination is performed immediately
prior to and following exercise to evaluate the adequacy of circulation to the
pumping chambers of the heart.
Transesophageal echocardiography involves use of a mini-transducer fitted into the tip of a
special catheter, which is inserted into the esophagus directly behind the
heart. The patient is given an anesthetic spray to numb the back of the throat
and a low dose of sedative to improve comfort during the procedure. The patient
then "swallows" the catheter into the esophagus. Images with this
technique are clearer than with the transthoracic technique, which can be
affected by structures of the chest wall, obesity and lung disease. The
technique is often used to help detect damaged heart valves and the function of
the atria. It has become especially useful in emergency evaluations of chest
trauma when rapid detection of an injury to the heart or one of the
"great" vessels is important.
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