Ultrasound examination of the heart is known as echocardiography.

Your doctor will refer you to our center to perform an Ultrasound examination of your heart. There are no preparations necessary for your echocardiogram. You will be asked to wear a gown and some contact jelly will be applied between the device called the transducer (which transmits the ultrasound wave) and your skin. The reflecting sound waves will result in a computerized moving image of your heart and valves.

Echocardiography is used to study heart disease, coronary artery disease and other cardiac disorders.

The echocardiography ultrasound exam will help identify the areas of your heart that do not contract properly. A previous heart failure might show an abnormal blood flow result, heart size, or perhaps valve malfunction.

During your echocardiogram some measurements will be taken. For instance, the percentage of blood that ejects through the left ventricle of your heart, is one such measurement. The size and shape of your heart will also be assessed.

Evaluating your heart by ultrasound may help explain chest pains, breathing problems and irregular heart rates.

Evaluating the specific cause of heart failure is essential in helping your doctor diagnose a heart problem.

You will be in our unit for approximately one hour. The sonographer will be assessing and documenting your heart study.

The final assessment of the study will be done by a Cardiologist who will be dictating a report to your doctor.

Vascular Ultrasound is a valuable test which helps determine blood flow in major blood vessels. Your Physician will refer you for an assessment of your neck vessels called a Carotid Doppler or an assessment of your Peripheral Arteries ( arms and legs ) if you are experiencing upper or lower extremity pain. These Doppler tests may be able to determine if you have a narrowing or blockage of your arteries or veins .

The ultrasound equipment transmits high frequency sound waves into the vessels. The red blood cells travel at different speeds and the ultrasound computer is able to produce a distinctive pattern for each vessel. Abnormal vessels will differ in their signature patterns. The blow flow changes seen with a blockage or narrowing in a vessel are analysed by the sound created by the speed of the red blood cells accelerating through a narrowed opening in the vessel, and the tracing differences are recorded by the ultrasound equipment.

Having an ultrasound study is a useful means of evaluating abnormalities in the blood vessels such as clots, blockages, or plaque, and helps your physician plan further treatment.

There is no preparation required for the assessment of blood vessels, unless we are required to look at your abdominal vessels. You will be asked to wear a gown. Some contact jelly will be applied to your skin on the area to be examined. The sonographer may have to press firmly on your skin and ask you to refrain from moving, for a short while. You may also be asked to hold your breath for a period of time.

Most examinations will take up to one hour depending on the complexity of your exam. Your exam is documented on a PAC system which is an automated computerized data collection of digital image archiving system. On an emergency basis your exam may be confidentially reported remotely via the Internet and the report will be sent to your physician

Generally, you will receive results of the exam from your physician within a week.