Echo Cardiology

An echocardiogram, often referred to as a cardiac echo or simply an echo, is a sonogram of the heart. Echocardiography uses standard two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to create images of the heart.

Echocardiology is the interpretation of ultrasounds in order to perform imaging of the heart. Ultrasound techniques create 2-D slices of the heart and color doppler is used to image blood flow.

ACI performs transthoracic echocardiograms, or TTE. TTE is a non-invasive procedure (skin is not pierced) that images the heart through the chest wall. The procedure uses ultrasound detected by a transducer probe placed on different points on your chest and abdominal section in order to create the heart images. No radiation is used, and no preperation like fasting is needed. There are no known risks, however the doctor may need to press down hard on the probe in order to create the images.