Echocardiography

What to Expect

During the Procedure

• Description of the room, monitoring devices, positions, and equipment that will be used - You will be lying on a table or bed during the procedure. Once the EKG electrodes are in place and attached to the EKG lead wires, you will lie on your left side. You may be asked to change positions during the procedure in order to obtain better images. The equipment used includes EKG electrodes, lead wires, a monitor, and the echo machine with a transducer probe.
  
  
• Anesthesia - None required.
  
  
• Basic description of the procedure:
  
  
1. The technician will ask you to remove your clothing from the waist up. Your privacy will be maintained by drapes across your chest and by limiting access into the procedure area.
   
   
2. If your chest, arms, or legs are very hairy, the technician may shave very small patches, as needed, so that the electrodes will stick closely to the skin.
   
   
3. EKG electrodes will be attached to your chest. The lead wires will be attached to the skin electrodes.
   
   
4. You will lie on a table or bed, positioned on your left side. A pillow or wedge may be placed behind your back for support.
   
   
5. The room will be darkened so that the images on the echo monitor can be viewed by the technician.
   
   
6. The technician will place warmed gel on your chest and then place the transducer probe on the gel. You will feel a slight pressure as the technician positions the transducer to get the desired image of your heart.
   
   
7. During the test, the technician will move the transducer probe around and apply varying amounts of pressure to obtain images of different locations and structures of your heart. The amount of pressure behind the probe should not be uncomfortable. If it does make you uncomfortable, however, let the technician know.
   
   
8. After the procedure has been completed, the technician will wipe the gel from your chest and remove the EKG electrodes. You may then put on your clothes.
   
   
9. When the procedure is completed, you may leave unless instructed otherwise by your physician.
   
   
• Procedure time - The test normally takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many different techniques are used and the quality of images obtainable. However, events such as schedule delays, emergencies, and other factors may delay the start of your procedure, or prolong the length of it.

After the Procedure

• Recovery - There is normally no recovery necessary after this procedure.
  
  
• Length of stay - No hospital stay is necessary, unless your physician determines that your condition requires further observation or hospital admission.
  
  
• Recuperation time - None.
  
  
• Outcome - Depending on the results of the echo, additional tests or procedures may be scheduled for further diagnostic information.

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