Echocardiography
Echocardiography is a noninvasive, ultrasonic examination which produces
highly detailed images of the heart muscle, valves, and blood vessels.
A probe is pressed against the chest wall which generates harmless sound
waves that bounce off the heart (hence the term echo) and reconstruct
a moving picture of the heart. In addition, moving object such as blood
flow can be measured by determining the change in frequency of the returning
signal. Echocardiographic evaluation may be combined with stress testing
either following the administration of medication or exercise on a treadmill.
In this fashion assessment of cardiac function under stress conditions
can be assessed and bring out otherwise nondetectable abnormalities.
High-resolution images may be obtained with transesophageal echocardiography
in which the ultrasonic probe is passed into the esophagus after local
anesthesia to the back of the throat. An echocardiographic evaluation
generally takes approximately 30 minutes to perform. Echocardiography
does not involve radiation exposure.
The Echocardiography Laboratory at Hartford Hospital includes six Echocardiographic
imaging machines, a fully integrated stress laboratory, and a transesophageal
procedure room. All studies are integrated with digital image acquisition
and storage. Over 7000 studies are performed annually of which approximately
1000 are transesophageal echocardiograms and 500 are stress echocardiograms.
- Three-Dimensional Echocardiography:
With this technology, sound waves are emitted by a transducer, where they are reflected back by the heart tissue. Computers then take these reflections, and construct an image of the heart in 3 dimensions. Compared with traditional 2-dimensional echocardiography, 3-dimensional echocardiography may allow your physician to more clearly define the anatomy of your heart in space and more accurately quantify any abnormalities. Hartford Hospital's Echo Lab was the first in the state of Connecticut to offer this technology.
- Doppler Tissue Imaging:
Doppler tissue imaging is a newer ultrasound method where sound waves are sent by a transducer to measure the function of the heart tissue. Doctors get information about the speed and timing of the heart tissue's motion. They can use this information to determine if the heart is filling with blood and functioning properly. This technology can also be used to help program pacemaker therapy for congestive heart failure.
- Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography:
In patients with suspected heart disease, tiny gas bubbles called contrast agents are injected. These contrast agents illuminate the myocardial tissue of the heart when sound waves are bounced off of them and help doctors find inadequate circulation of blood supply in your heart muscle. These are called perfusion abnormalities. Clinical Trials are currently being done at Hartford Hospital to look for better contrast agents.
- Intracardiac Echocardiography:
With this technology, a catheter with a tiny ultrasound transducer at its tip is placed through the veins into your heart. Because of the ultrasound transducer location within the heart, detailed anatomy is well visualized. This technology is used during catheter-based interventional and electrical procedures of the heart, including closing congenital abnormalities, opening obstructed heart valves, and monitoring arrythmias. The Echo Lab at Hartford Hospital has been a pioneer in this technology for over a decade.
- Transesophageal Echocardiography:
A transducer is placed into the food pipe or esophagus which lies directly behind the heart. Sound waves are emitted from the transducer and a computer translates the reflections into a moving picture. Due to the nearness to the heart, structures are visualized in extremely fine detail. This procedure is routinely done over 1000 times per year at Hartford Hospital. Additionally, it is performed in the operating room before open heart surgery to confirm the diagnosis and immediately after open heart surgery to determine the success of the operation.
- Stress Echocardiography:
In order to look for blockages in the arteries that supply the heart with blood, a resting echocardiogram is done and another echocardiogram is done after stressing the heart. The stress is achieved in one of two ways: either the patient exercises or one of several drugs are given with an intravenous line. Doctors then compare these two sets of images to look for heart abnormalities that would signal inadequate blood flow circulation. More than 500 stress echoes are performed yearly within the Hartford Hospital Echo lab.
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