Echocardiography Machine: What is its Uses, Radiology Connection?

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Echocardiogram is the study of the heart conducted with specialized sonography. It is different from the electrocardiogram because the echocardiograph is done in real time. The echocardiogram machine is named as such because it does just that; echoes the sounds and sights of the beating heart.

The Echocardiography Machine and its Studies

Echocardiogram studies are done in or very close to the cardiac catheterization lab. These departments are set up for stress tests, intense EKG monitoring, minimally invasive responses to cardiac arrests and extremely close to a specialized operating room in case the chest needs to be opened. A defibrillator is also handy in case the patient has an attack episode. There is usually ample support staff for these scenarios and they are all highly trained to act in these high stress traumatic environments.

The echocardiogram machine is usually portable, but well placed in a safe clinical environment. When an echo is done, there is a probe that looks like a regular sonogram transducer and it is used to trace the heart; therefore, taking sonograms of different parts of the heart. This is a sound probe that uses sound waves, which cause an echo effect as it passes over the heart. These images are recorded on videodisks or cards, which can be replayed for diagnosis of heart conditions.

Some of the conditions that may be detected with this machine are cardiomegaly, enlarged heart, cardiomyopathies, stenosis or narrowing of the heart valves, abnormal thickening or thinning of the heart walls, and shape changes of the heart due to poor ejection fraction. The echocardiography can also detect cardiac output and diastolic problems that may otherwise go undetected. Valve problems can also be detected and this test will show leaking and regurgitation of the valves. This type of test may also be able to find aortic aneurysms, vena cava anomalies, blood clots, abnormal sinuses, pericardial issues and heart chamber problems.

Echocardiography Machine and Testing Procedures

Echocardiogram testing is relatively tolerable. Being non-invasive, the only thing required of the patient is some positional changes during the sonogram. During the echocardiogram testing, a graphic outline of the heart’s movement is detected. “Strained” echocardiograms can be truly uncomfortable for the patient. Once the patient is exercising intensely, usually on a treadmill, the reaction of the heart stress can be detected by this type of testing. Blood pressure, heart rate, and EKG readings are monitored until the patient is back to normal pace.

A dobutamine stress test is a diagnostic procedure that may be used when a doctor wants to assess the heart muscle under stress. If exercise on a treadmill is not an option, too much stress on the heart, due to a person’s medical condition, a doctor may use an intravenous medication called dobutamine.

Stressed echo is where dobutamine is given intravenously and is always monitored by a physician. This medication is given to force the heart to work overtime and can cause the patient much fear and discomfort. Since the patient is relatively powerless over the episode, it can be very frightening and cause the patient to actually feel like they are having a stressed episode.

Unlike the electrocardiogram, there is little electricity involved in echocardiography. It is not especially considered a “radiological” procedure. The true connection with radiologic aspect is that there is definitely an image produced as a result of the testing. These images can be preserved on computer, printed out, or archived in miniscule storage data cards and programs.

This type of testing is extremely accurate because the technician is able to essentially visualize the happenings directly on the echocardiogram machine.