Echocardiogram: Types And What They Show?

Reviewed By SGVP Team

An echocardiogram is a safe, painless, and non-invasive test that helps to create detailed images of the heart in motion using ultrasound waves.

Whether you are experiencing symptoms, including chest pain or shortness of breath, or monitoring an existing heart condition, an echocardiogram provides important insights into the structure and function of the heart.

In this blog post, we will explore the different types of echocardiograms, what they show, and why they are an essential tool in cardiology.

Understanding Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram, also known as a heart ultrasound, is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound or sound waves to produce real-time images of the heart. Doctors may use it to evaluate the size, shape, structure and performance of the heart. It is also used to diagnose heart diseases, including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and valve disease.

It may assess blood flow through the heart and heart valves, blood flow patterns, valve function, and pumping ability. It is usually performed by a cardiac sonographer, and a cardiologist interprets the results.

When would I need an Echocardiogram?

Doctors may recommend an echocardiogram if

You have symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and swelling in the legs
Your healthcare provider suspects you have some form of heart disease or wants to evaluate a condition you have already been diagnosed with
You are preparing for a surgery or other medical procedure

It can be used to monitor heart conditions, check heart function after a heart attack, evaluate heart murmurs or abnormal ECG results.

Types Of Echocardiogram

There are different types of echocardiograms, each suited for specific diagnostic needs. The main types include

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

TTE is the most common and basic type of ECHO. It is a noninvasive way to examine the heart structure and blood flow through the heart and its valves.

Method:

A water-based gel is applied to the ultrasound wand, called a transducer.
The technician places the ultrasound transducer on the different parts of the chest.
The wand sends sound waves through the chest to create pictures of the heart on a screen.
The wand records the sound waves that bounce back from the heart.
A cardiologist looks at the pictures and interprets the report.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

TEE is used when a standard echocardiogram does not provide many details. It gives a detailed look at the heart and the body’s main artery, called the aorta. It is slightly more invasive.

Method:

A healthcare professional inserts an IV into an arm or hand and guides a thin tube called a catheter into the mouth.
The tube goes down the throat and into the esophagus, which is placed close to the heart
The ultrasound wand goes through the catheter and moves near the heart. The probe takes detailed pictures of the heart from inside the chest.
Your healthcare professional moves the probe slightly to get different views.
A heart specialist reviews the images and provides a report.
Exercise stress echocardiogram

An exercise stress cardiogram is done before and after the exercise to check how the heart responds to physical activity or stress. It involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while an ECG is done.

Before the exercise, a resting cardiogram is done while you are lying down
You walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. The speed and incline increase gradually. The exercise stops once the heart rate reaches a target level or you get tired.
You lie down, and another echo is done.
The healthcare professional compares the pictures taken before and after the exercise to see how the heart responds to stress.

Fetal echocardiogram

A fetal echocardiogram is performed during pregnancy to assess the baby’s heart for any congenital problems. It is a non-invasive test that involves an ultrasound wand over the pregnant lady’s belly to see the unborn baby’s heart.

It is done between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy and is recommended if there is a family history of heart defects or certain risk factors in the mother.

Method:

An ultrasound probe is placed on the mother’s belly.
High-frequency sound waves create real-time images of the unborn baby’s heart.
It shows how the heart is forming, how it is beating, and if the blood is flowing correctly through the fetus’s heart.

Techniques Used In Echocardiogram

Several advanced ultrasound techniques are used during an echocardiogram to provide a comprehensive view of the heart’s structure and function. The different techniques used to create a picture of the heart, which include

Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound: It is the most common method and produces real-time, moving cross-sectional images of the heart, allowing visualisation of the size, shape, and movement of the heart’s chambers and valves.
Three-dimensional (3D) ECHO: It provides a more detailed, lifelike image of the heart, offering a better understanding of complex heart structures.
Doppler ultrasound: It helps in measuring the speed and direction of blood flow within the heart, helping to detect the abnormal flow patterns caused by valve issues, including regurgitation or stenosis.
Color doppler: It adds colour-coded visuals to show the direction of blood flow.
Tissue doppler imaging: It focuses on the movement of heart muscle tissue rather than blood flow.
Strain imaging: It uses changes in how the heart muscle moves and is used to detect early signs of heart disease.
Contrast imaging: It uses a special technique where a contrast agent is injected into the bloodstream to improve the clarity of heart chamber borders and detect abnormal blood flow.

What Does An Echocardiogram Show?

An echocardiogram offers detailed insights into the health and function of the heart. It may show

Changes in heart size: Enlargement of the heart chambers or damaged heart valves, high blood pressure or other diseases may cause thickened heart walls or enlarged heart chambers. ECHO may help in detecting changes in heart size.
Pumping capabilities: The test shows how much blood pumps out of a filled heart chamber with each heartbeat, called the ejection fraction. It also tells how much blood the heart pumps in one minute, called cardiac output.
Heart valve function: It shows how the heart valves open and close, helping diagnose valve disorders, including regurgitation (leaky valves) or stenosis (narrowed valves)
Congenital heart defects: ECHO may detect structural abnormalities present from birth, including issues with the heart walls, valves, or connections between the heart and blood vessels.
Damage to the heart muscle: It shows how the heart wall helps the heart pump blood, which is important for identifying damage from a heart attack or weakened heart muscle.

Conclusion

Echocardiograms play a key role in modern cardiology in detecting different heart problems early, monitoring existing issues, and ensuring timely intervention. It is recommended to consult your healthcare provider if you experience any chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue or any heart-related issues.

If you or your loved one needs a heart evaluation in Ahmedabad, consult our cardiologists at SGVP Holistic Hospital for expert guidance. Our experienced cardiology team utilises advanced echocardiography to provide accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment.

FAQs

Echocardiogram Vs. EKG?

Both an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram are tests that evaluate the heart, but focus on different aspects. An ECHO uses ultrasound waves to check for the overall structure and function of the heart. An EKG records the electrical activity of the heart and helps detect heart rhythm problems, past or current heart attacks, and other electrical conduction abnormalities.

How long does an echocardiogram take?

An echocardiogram usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type. A standard test (TTE) may last about 30-45 minutes, while a stress ECHO or transesophageal ECHO may take longer. Most people may return to normal activities immediately afterwards.

What are the risks of an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is generally a safe and non-invasive procedure with minimal risks. You may feel some discomfort if you have a standard transthoracic ECHO. You may experience a sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, a scratchy voice, minor bleeding in the throat area, injury to teeth, gums or lips, irregular heartbeats, or nausea from medicines.

What abnormalities can be found on an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram can be used to detect a wide range of heart abnormalities, including an enlarged heart or thick ventricles, weakened heart muscles, problems with heart valves, and heart defects since birth. It may also identify blood clots, fluid around the heart, and tumours or masses within the heart.

Conclusion

Comparing CABG to Angioplasty, the following are the main lessons:

CABG tends to be preferable in case the disease is complicated: more than one artery is blocked, the left main artery is blocked, a diabetic patient, poor heart performance, or angioplasty has failed or cannot be done.
Angioplasty is mostly used in cases of fewer and less complex blockages, in emergency cases such as a heart attack, or where the patient’s health or preferences are inclined towards less invasive solutions.
Notably, there is no universal solution. This decision depends largely on diagnostic tests, the general well-being of patients, the anatomy of the obstructed blood vessels, surgery risks, and the competence of the medical team.

When you or someone close to you is diagnosed with blocked arteries, seek the assistance of a qualified cardiologist and/or cardiac surgeon. They can use imaging (angiography), scans, and evaluation of your risk factors, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and lifestyle, to decide whether to do CABG or angioplasty. Informed choices and appropriate treatment plans are the key to your life and health.