ECHOCARDIOGRAM

(HEART
ULTRASOUND)
NAME:FATEMA ILYAS
ORGANIZATION:TABBA HEART INSTITUTE
ROLL NO:16-02
BATCH:VII
 WHAT IS ECHOCARDIOGRAM?
• An echocardiogram (echo) is a test that uses high
frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make
pictures of your heart.
• The test is also called echocardiography or
diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.
• The sound waves are sent through a device called a
transducer and are reflected off the various
structures of the heart.
• These echoes are converted into pictures of the
heart that can be seen on a video monitor.
• Ultrasound gel is applied to the transducer to
allow transmission of the sound waves from
the transducer to the skin
• The transducer transforms the echo
(mechanical energy) into an electrical signal
which is processed and displayed as an image
on the screen. The conversion of sound to
electrical energy is called the piezoelectric
effect.
 COMPONENTS
There are 5 basic components of an ultrasound scanner that are required for
generation, display and storage of an ultrasound image. 
1. Pulse generator - applies high amplitude voltage to energize the
crystals
2. Transducer - converts electrical energy to mechanical (ultrasound)
energy and vice versa
3. Receiver - detects and amplifies weak signals
4. Display - displays ultrasound signals in a variety of modes
5. Memory - stores video display
 WHY DO YOU NEED AN
ECHOCARDIOGRAM?

• Assess the overall function of your heart

Transthoracic Echocardiogram(TTE): 
• This is the standard echocardiogram.
• It is a painless test similar to X-ray, but without the radiation.
• A hand-held device called a transducer is placed on the chest and transmits
high frequency sound waves (ultrasound).
• These sound waves bounce off the heart structures, producing images and
sounds that can be used by the doctor to detect heart damage and disease.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE):
•  This test requires that the transducer be inserted down the throat into the 
esophagus (the swallowing tube that connects the mouth to the stomach).
• Because the esophagus is located close to the heart, clear images of the
heart structures can be obtained without the interference of the lungs and
chest.
Stress echocardiogram:
•  This is an echocardiogram that is performed while the person exercises on a
treadmill or stationary bicycle.
• This test can be used to visualize the motion of the heart's walls and
pumping action when the heart is stressed. It may reveal a lack of blood flow
that isn't always apparent on other heart tests.
• The echocardiogram is performed just prior and just after the exercise.
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram: 
• This is another form of stress echocardiogram.
• However, instead of exercising to stress the heart, the stress is obtained by
giving a drug that stimulates the heart and makes it "think" it is exercising.
• The test is used to evaluate your heart and valve function when you are
unable to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike.
• It is also used to determine how well your heart tolerates activity and your
likelihood of having coronary artery disease(blocked arteries), and evaluates
the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan.
Intravascular ultrasound:
•  This is an ultrasound performed during cardiac catheterization.
• During this procedure, the transducer is threaded into the heart blood
 vessels via a catheter in the groin.
• It is often used to provide detailed information about the atherosclerosis
(blockage) inside the blood vessels.
 MODALITIES OF ECHO
The following modalities of echo are used clinically:
1. Conventional echo
• Two-Dimensional echo (2-D echo)
• Motion- mode echo (M-mode echo)
2. Doppler Echo
• Continuous wave (CW) Doppler
• Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler
• Colour flow(CF) Doppler
 Two-Dimensional Echo (2-D echo)
• This technique is used to "see" the actual structures and
motion of the heart structures at work.
• Ultrasound is transmitted along several scan lines
• The combination of reflected ultrasound signals builds up
an image on the display screen.
• A 2-D echo view appears cone- shaped on the monitor
• Generated by a data obtained by sweeping ultrasound
beam
 ECHO WINDOWS (VIEWS)

1. Parasternal view
long axis view
short axis view
2. Apical view
4 chamber view
5 chamber view
2 chamber view
3. Subcostal view
4. Suprasternal view
 M-Mode echocardiography
• An M- mode echocardiogram is not a "picture" of the
heart, but rather a diagram that shows how the
positions of its structures change during the course of
the cardiac cycle.
• M-mode recordings permit measurement of cardiac
dimensions and motion patterns.
• Also facilitate analysis of time relationships with
other physiological variables such as ECG, and heart
sounds.
 Doppler echocardiography
Doppler echocardiography is a method for detecting
the direction and velocity of moving blood within the
heart.
• Pulsed Wave (PW) useful for low velocity flow e.g.
MV flow 
• Continuous Wave (CW) useful for high velocity flow
e.g aortic stenosis 
• Color Flow (CF) Different colors are used to
designate the direction of blood flow. red is flow
toward, and blue is flow away from the transducer
with turbulent flow shown as a mosaic pattern.
 RISKS
.
• Unlike other imaging techniques, such as X-rays, echocardiograms don’t use radiation.
• There’s a rare chance the tube used in a transesophageal echocardiogram may scrape
the side of your esophagus and cause irritation.
• The most common side effect is a sore throat.
• You may also feel a bit funny due to the sedative used in the procedure.
• The medication or exercise used to get your heart rate up in a stress echocardiogram
could temporarily cause an irregular heartbeat.
 CONCLUSION

Echocardiography provides a substantial amount of structural and