Transthoracic Echocardiogram

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a transthoracic echocardiogram?

• A transthoracic (trans-thor-AH-sik) echocardiogram (eh-ko-KAR-d-o-gram) is a test to check for problems inside and around your heart. It is often called an echocardiogram or an "ECHO". It is also called echocardiography (eh-ko-kar-d-AH-gruh-fee) or ultrasound cardiography.
  
  
• Harmless sound waves are sent into the heart through the chest wall. Parts of the heart like the walls, valves, muscles, and blood vessels send echoes back to the machine. The motion of the echoes is traced on a machine and recorded on film to create a picture of the heart. This recording shows caregivers how your heart looks and works. It is a safe test because no radiation from x-rays is used.

How does the heart work normally? The heart has 4 chambers (rooms). The 2 upper chambers are called atria (A-tree-uh) and the 2 lower chambers are called ventricles (VEN-trik-ulls). Blood vessels bring blood from your body to the right atrium in your heart. The blood moves into the right ventricle where it is pumped into the lungs to get oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood goes into the left atrium and down into the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the blood out to the body where the oxygen can be used. There are valves (doors) between the different chambers of the heart. These valves keep blood flowing in the correct direction through the heart.

Why do I need an ECHO? There are many reasons why you may need an ECHO. You may need an ECHO if you have:

• Cardiomegaly (kar-d-o-MEH-guh-lee). This is an enlarged heart.
  
  
• Fluid around your heart.
  
  
• Problems in the walls of your heart or in how your heart muscles work.
  
  
• Problems with how fast or how slow the blood moves through your heart.
  
  
• Problems with how the valves between the chambers inside your heart are opening and closing.
  
  
• To check the amount of damage done by an MI (heart attack). It also checks for any heart problems caused by an MI.

Care: No special care is needed before the test. You will be able to return to your room or go home right after the test.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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