Investigation
3D Echocardiography
Real time 3-dimentional ultrasound examination of the heart.
Overview
This is an ultrasound test using 3D technology and allows the cardiologist to see accurate pictures of the heart muscle, the pumping chambers and the heart valves. A probe is placed on the chest wall and an inaudible ultrasound beam passes out from the probe, reflects back from the structures within the heart and allows the cardiologist to build up an accurate image of the heart. A variety of views are taken to look at the heart structures. There are some conditions where this type of scan provides more information than a standard echo scan. An example of this is mitral valve prolapse when it is associated with a leaking valve. The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes and is non invasive. It can also be done as part of a transoesophageal echocardiogram.
What happens during an Echocardiogram
If an echocardiogram is requested you will be given a gown and asked to undress to the waist. Stickers or electrodes will then be attached across the chest and wires or leads will be attached to the electrodes. The physiologist will then place a probe on your chest in various positions to acquire images of the heart. Sometimes this can be a little uncomfortable but it will not be painful. The physiologist will also use Doppler to look at the flow of blood and you may hear Doppler sounds from the echo machine as your heart beats.
What happens after
After your echocardiogram the images will be transferred to our electronic archive where a report will be written. Your consultant will discuss the results of the echocardiogram during your consultation.
How LCC Helps
London Cardiovascular clinic is to date one of only 2 private providers to be awarded British Society of Echocardiography departmental accreditation. Our consultants are experts in echocardiogram interpretation. To find out more about echocardiography at LCC fill in the form below to get a quick call back: