In-Depth Information from Green Mountain Cardiology

Echocardiography: True diagnosis begins with a detailed view of your heart.

The fellowship-trained cardiologists at Green Mountain Cardiology in Rutland, VT use advanced exams to get a detailed view of your heart. Two of the exams are known as echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). These procedures enable our heart care specialists to see the structure and function of your heart.

What is an echocardiogram?
Echocardiography – This is an ultrasound test designed specifically for the heart. Sound waves are used by a special computer to create images of the heart at work. When a transducer is placed on the chest at certain locations and angles, the sound waves move through the skin to the heart, where the waves “echo” off the heart structures. These echoes are converted into pictures of the heart that can be seen on a video monitor. The echocardiogram can be used to evaluate the size, structure and function of your heart. Echocardiography can also be used to estimate the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat.
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – With this procedure, a probe with a tiny transducer is gently guided through the throat into the esophagus, which lies just behind the heart, instead of being moved over the outside of the chest wall. The transducer works the same as the one used in a regular echocardiogram. However, a clearer ultrasound image can be obtained because the soundwaves do not have to pass through skin, muscle, tissue and bones. This is needed in certain instances when such a clearer image of the heart is required.

back to In-Depth Information