Echocardiography

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Echocardiography, also known as the heart echo or echocardiogram, is an ultrasound examination of the heart. Depending on the objective of the examination, it is performed externally as a transthoracic echocardiography or internally via the esophagus (transesophageal echocardiography). It can be performed both at rest and under physical strain. Read here how echocardiography works and when it is used!

When is the echocardiography done?

If the following diseases are suspected or to monitor their progress, a heart ultrasound is performed:

  • Heart failure
  • coronary artery disease, heart attack
  • Damage to the heart valves is suspected
  • Blood clots in the heart
  • Heart defects (vitien)
  • Cardiac effusion (pericardial effusion)
  • Bulges or tears in the aortic wall

Transesophageal / transthoracic echocardiography (TTE examination)

The echo examination of the heart is usually carried out like any other ultrasound, i.e. via a transducer that the doctor places on the patient's body surface. One then speaks of a transthoracic echocardiography, ie "through the thorax".

For some questions, however, an outside view is no longer sufficient. Then the so-called transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) takes place. The doctor pushes a special transducer over the esophagus to the stomach entrance. The heart is in the immediate vicinity and can thus be better assessed. The throat is anesthetized for this, and if the patient so wishes, he can also be given a sedative.

Stress echocardiography

The stress echo is a heart examination under physical stress. The heart needs more oxygen when it is exerted, so that circulatory disorders of the heart show up more quickly than at rest. For echocardiography under stress, the patient either has to ride a stationary bicycle or he is given a drug that increases the work of the heart.

What are the risks of echocardiography?

Transthoracic echocardiography at rest is completely harmless and does not pose any risks. Stress echocardiography, on the other hand, can in rare cases lead to cardiac arrhythmias or, in extreme cases, to a heart attack or heart failure. However, since the patient is monitored all the time during the examination, the doctor can identify impending complications very early and intervene.

During transesophageal echocardiography, the patient must be informed about the following possible complications:

  • Injuries to the esophagus and larynx
  • Damage to teeth
  • Side effects of the sedative drug, if administered.
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