Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Diagnosis

What to Expect During Your Echocardiography Test

M-mode, Two-dimensional, Spectral Doppler, and Color Doppler Echocardiography Exams

These tests are very similar to the ultrasound exams given to pregnant women. A physician or technician will put a conductive gel on your chest, followed by a device called a transducer. Images of your heart then
appear on a video monitor. These tests:

• Are easy, painless and safe
• Do not involve radiation of any sort
• Require no special preparation on your part

• Usually take about 30 minutes

Stress Echo

You will be asked to walk a treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle during the test. The test will take about 30 minutes or so.

Chemical or Pharmacological Stress Echo

You will be given an injection of a drug, such as Dobumatine or Adenosine, that will cause your heart to react as if you were exercising. The test will take 60 to 90 minutes.

Transesophageal Echo

During this test, you will swallow a small flexible tube with a tiny transducer attached to its end (called an echoprobe or gastroscope). The physician or technician will make sure it's properly placed in your esophagus, behind your heart, to produce very clear images.

Before the test, you'll remove any dentures and oral prostheses, lie on your left side on the examination table, and may be given a mild sedative via an IV (intravenous) line. You'll also be given an anesthetic spray for your throat to reduce your gagging reflex.

The doctor or technician will insert the gastroscope into your mouth and position it in your esophagus. You may be asked to swallow to help in the positioning, and may feel some discomfort during the process. When the gastroscope is in place, the imaging begins.

The test can take up to 90 minutes. Since you may be given a sedative before the test, you should not drive yourself home after it. You'll also need to wait about an hour before eating to give the throat anesthetic time to wear off.

Complications are rare, but could include:

• Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing, both of which normally go away after 24 hours
• Injuries to the mouth or esophagus

• Irregular heart rhythms