Echocardiogram

Doppler Echocardiography, Heart Echocardiogram, Transesophageal Echocardiography, Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)

Results

An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-pitched sound waves that are sent through a device called a transducer. The device picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the different parts of your heart. These echoes are turned into moving pictures of your heart that can be seen on a video screen.

Results are usually available within a week. If the test is done by a cardiologist, the results may be available immediately after the test.

Echocardiogram

Normal:	The heart chambers and walls of the heart are of normal size and thickness, and they move normally.
	Heart valves are working normally, with no leaks or narrowing. There is no sign of infection.
	The amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle with each heartbeat (ejection fraction) is greater than 50%.
	There is no excess fluid in the sac surrounding the heart, and the lining around the heart is not thickened.
	There are no tumours and blood clots in the heart chambers.
Abnormal:	Heart chambers are too big. The walls of the heart are thicker or thinner than normal. A thin heart wall may mean poor blood flow to the heart muscle or an old heart attack. A thin, bulging area of the heart wall may indicate a bulge in the ventricle (ventricular aneurysm). The heart muscle walls do not move normally because of a decreased blood supply from narrowed coronary arteries.
	One or more heart valves do not open or close properly (are leaking) or do not look normal. Signs of infection are present.
	The amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle with each heartbeat (ejection fraction) is less than 50%.
	There is fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion). The lining around the heart is too thick.
	A tumour or blood clot may be found in the heart.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: February 21, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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