Echocardiography questions

What can be examined with echocardiography?

Echocardiography or heart ultrasound allows us to examine the structural buildup of the heart, the size of the heart’s cavities, the blood flow’s direction, rhythm and velocity, the movement, closure and functional disorders of the valves.   Possible deviations and abnormalities such as effusion, vasoconstriction, clogged arteries, dead tissues following a heart attack, scarring, blood clots, etc.  can also be determined.

When is echocardiography necessary?

One of the most important examinations prior to surgery it contributes towards a problem free and successful anesthesiological and surgical intervention.  Echocardiography is used to examine patients who underwent vasodilation through cardiac catheterization, stent implantation, heart valve surgery, heart attack and coronary arterial disorder patients.

Could several echocardiography examinations within a short period of time be harmful?

Echocardiography is not dangerous, and since it does not encumber the patient and no radiation reaches the patient, it may endlessly be repeated

What preparations are necessary?

The echocardiography through the chest does not require any particular preparation:  you will be lying bare-chested on the examination table and the doctor will cover the area to be examined with a gel for the examination head to slide upon.  If the examination is to be through the throat or esophagus, you will be asked not to consume any food a few hours before since in this case the examination will be performed with the help of a thin tube passed through the pharynx.  In order to avoid any possible unpleasantness, the examination will be performed under local anesthesia or with a mild narcotic.

Will I feel any pain?

The echocardiography through the chest is painless, but, just as in endoscopy, may be quite uncomfortable through the throat.  The local anesthetic will ensure that you do not feel any pain.