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.