Diagnostic Testing - The Chester County Hospital

ADULT AND PEDIATRIC ECHOCARDIOGRAMAt The CardioVascular Center at The Chester County Hospital in the friendly atmosphereof the Echo Lab you will experience a painless procedure known as an echocardiogram.During the test, a small microphone-like device called a transducer will send ultrasoundwaves that echo off various parts of your heart. The echoes are converted into a movingimage of the heart. This image is displayed on a screen for a cardiologist to review.The echocardiogram provides your physician with important information such as:> Size of the heart chambers> Heart valve function> The pumping action and blood flow of the heartThere are three parts to an echocardiogram, which include M-mode, 2-D, and colorDoppler. M-mode produces a tracing like image used for measuring heart chambers. 2-D shows the actual shape and motion of the heart. Color Doppler shows blood directionby color changes seen on the monitor. You will also hear swishing noises during the test,which is the sound of blood flowing through the heart.This test takes approximately 40 minutes and no special instructions prior to the test arenecessary. You will be asked to take everything off from the waist up and put on ahospital gown opening in the front. The echocardiography technologist will apply threeelectrodes to your chest and ask you to lie on your left side. A gel similar to Vaseline willbe applied to the transducer, and then the transducer is placed onto your chest. Thetechnologist will apply some pressure on the transducer to obtain the heart images,which may result in minimal discomfort.>The Echocardiography Laboratory (Echo Lab) is located on the second floor of theHospital. A Chester County Cardiologist reads all echocardiograms. The results will bereported to your physician within three working days.Preparation Instructions: This test takes approximately 40 minutes and no specialinstructions prior to the test are necessary.EXERCISE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAMAn exercise stress echocardiogram is a diagnostic tool made up of two components:a stress test and an echocardiogram. During the stress test component of the test, youwill be walking on a treadmill. The treadmill will increase in speed and elevation atpredetermined times. During the echocardiogram portion of the test, you will be lying ona stretcher while ultrasound images of your heart are recorded.Prior to walking on the treadmill, the echocardiography technologist will obtain restingEKG, blood pressures and echocardiogram images. When the Cardiologist arrives in theEcho Lab, you will be asked to walk on the treadmill starting at a slow speed with a >DIAGNOSTIC CARDIOLOGY TESTING| 1