Echocardiogram (Echo) Lab
Evaluating your heart’s size, shape, blood flow and more
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Creating Moving Pictures of Your Heart
You may undergo echocardiography testing if your doctor wants to learn more about the structure of your heart and how well your heart is working.
At Lahey Clinic, we do thousands of echocardiograms in our echocardiogram lab each year. In fact, we have one of the largest volumes of stress echocardiograms in New England. With our advanced technology and experienced, caring experts, you can rely on us for a seamless testing experience and accurate echocardiogram results.
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, or echo, is a non-invasive imaging test. It uses ultrasound waves to create pictures of your heart in motion as blood moves through the organ. We use 2D imaging to assess your heart and valve function. We rely on 3D live imaging when we are trying to identify a heart problem more precisely.
What Does an Echocardiogram Show?
Our heart specialists may order an echo to see:
- The estimated pressures within your heart’s chambers and your pulmonary artery.
- How well your heart is pumping.
- If there are blood clots inside your heart.
- If you have a heart abnormality, such as a hole in the heart, that may have been present since birth.
- If your heart’s valves are working correctly or if they are narrowed or leaking.
- Problems with your aorta, the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
- The sac around your heart (pericardium) and determine if there’s evidence of fluid buildup (pericardial effusion) or abnormal thickening (pericardial constriction).
- The size of your heart’s chambers and how they function.
More About Echocardiogram
There are various echo types and techniques. We use what’s best for you.
Color Doppler
Color Doppler, when used with 2D imaging, can show the direction and speed of blood flow within your heart’s chambers. This can be especially helpful if we’re trying to determine if your valve is leaking (regurgitation). It can also help us estimate the severity of leakage.
Spectral Doppler
Spectral Doppler shows the direction and speed of blood flow within your heart’s chambers and across your heart’s valves. It can help us determine if there is narrowing of a valve (stenosis), and if so, how severe it is. We can combine Doppler measurements with 2D imaging to determine how much blood your heart pumps out of your left ventricle with each heartbeat. It can also tell us how much blood the heart pumps in one minute and the size of a valve’s opening.
Stress Echocardiography
Stress echos show if plaque buildup in your coronary arteries hinders blood flow in the heart when your heart is under stress. Usually, we use exercise to create stress. But if you’re not able to do an exercise stress test, we can use a medication called dobutamine to stimulate your heart and mimic exercise. This test may tell us if you need additional testing and/or treatment.
3D Echocardiography
Sometimes, it’s important to see certain parts of your heart in relation to other parts. A 3D echocardiogram makes this possible. It can be especially helpful during interventional cardiology procedures.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
TEE involves delivering sound waves to the heart with a device that’s passed down your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). This type of echo may provide higher resolution images than transthoracic echocardiography and is frequently used with interventional procedures. It often offers the best view of structures such as:
- The muscle that separates your heart’s upper chambers, or atria (atrial septum).
- The portion of your aorta in your chest (thoracic aorta).
- The small pouch that sticks out of your heart’s left atrium (left atrial appendage).
- Structures of your heart valves.
Transthoracic Echocardiography
This is how we perform echocardiography most often. It delivers sound waves to your heart with a device called a transducer that we move over your chest. Sending the sound waves from different angles helps us get the images.
Our echo lab is fully accredited through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). We strive to offer the latest techniques and technology. All our echo machines have live, 3D capability. They also offer advanced, off-line analysis.
Your doctor may order an echocardiogram procedure for you as an outpatient or inpatient. The test may play a crucial role in helping you get a diagnosis for many heart conditions.
Often, we provide our services in critical care settings and during heart surgery. We also work closely with interventional cardiologists doing procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitraClip procedures for mitral regurgitation,percutaneous procedures for tricuspid valve interventions, atrial septal defects, and leaks around previously implanted surgical valves. We support arryhthmia specialists during procedures to close the left atrial appendage, as well.
Meet the Team
Meet the heart specialists who provide expert care in our echocardiogram lab.
