What is an echocardiogram (or echocardiography)?
This is a technique that sends sound
waves into the chest to rebound from the heart's walls and
valves. The recorded waves show the shape, texture and movement
of the valves on an echocardiogram. They also show the size
of the heart chambers and how well they're working. This technique
doesn't hurt and is no risk to people.
What is stress echocardiography?
Stress echocardiography or "stress
echo" is a specialized exam done during and/or immediately
after some form of physical stress (such as bicycle or treadmill
exercise). It's used to help diagnose coronary heart disease.
What is transesophagealechocardiography
(TEE)?
TEE is a special type of imaging
procedure. A tube with a transducer on the end of it is passed
down a person's throat and into the esophagus. (This is the
tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.) The esophagus is
close to the heart, and images from TEE can give very clear
pictures of the heart and its structures |
