Patient Education
Echocardiography

An Echocardiogram, or Echo, is the sentinel diagnostic tool used by the USC Cardiovascular Medicine team to gather information about a patient's heart condition. It is commonly described as an ultrasound of the heart. If a defect in the heart's structure or mechanical function is causing problems, an echo can often determine the cause of it. The USC Cardiovascular Medicine team utilizes several forms of echo tests to diagnose a myriad of conditions. The most commonly performed one is the Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) which is performed while the patient is in a resting position. If the USC Cardiovascular Medicine team needs information about heart function under physical stress, a Stress Echo may be performed, while the patient exercises on a treadmill or bike, or receives an intravenous infusion of a chemical stressor such as dobutamine.

If more detailed data is required regarding the heart's valvular structures, a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) may be performed where the ultrasound probe is placed down the patient's esophagus to more clearly capture images of the functioning heart.

Above: An ultrasound image of the heart showing normal heart function.

Echocardiology allows the USC Cardiology team of experts to gain valuable insight into a patient's heart condition. Because it is simple to acquire and yields much information, it is often the first diagnostic test performed on a patient experiencing cardiovascular problems.

Above: An ultrasound image of the heart showing abnormal aortic valve function.
Leaking back of blood into the heart is shown by blue color (arrow).

Above: An ultrasound image of the heart showing normal aortic valve (valve that allows blood to go forward into the aorta during each heart contraction and prevents blood leaking back into the heart). Valve function is assessed by means of color ultrasound as shown here. This depicts blood flow within heart chambers as well as across the valves.