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An echocardiogram (echo) is a non-invasive ultrasound test that captures a moving image of your child’s heart. Doctors use echocardiograms to watch the heart pump and squeeze to understand why your child’s heart may not be functioning correctly.
What does an echocardiogram test for?
What does an echocardiogram test for?
An echocardiogram helps the doctor detect heart defects such as:
- Narrow or leaking valves
- Holes in the heart walls
- Abnormalities in the arteries and veins near the heart
- Fluid around the heart
- Issues with the heart’s ability to contract and relax
What types of echocardiograms are available?
An echocardiogram machine and its hand-held probe are designed specifically to capture images of the moving, beating heart. There are three types of echocardiograms typically offered to children:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram. This is the most common echocardiogram performed at Riley at IU Health. It’s used to view the heart through the outside of the chest. Patients often undergo this type of echocardiogram due to heart murmurs or for symptoms like chest pains or fainting.
- Fetal echocardiogram. This is used to look at the heart of a fetus while the baby is still in the womb.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram. These images are captured while your child is under anesthesia in the operating room or cardiac catheterization (cath) lab. Doctors examine the heart through the esophagus to check the progress of heart surgery or to help guide therapies in the cath lab.
What happens during an echocardiogram?
What happens during an echocardiogram?
During an echocardiogram, an echocardiogram (echo) technologist moves a hand-held probe over your child’s chest, sending high-frequency sound waves to the heart. When the sound waves bounce back, ultrasound delivers moving images of the beating heart.
On the day of your child’s exam, the echo tech will bring you to the lab to explain the process and show your child the equipment. During the echocardiogram, your child can expect to:
- Watch cartoons or a movie
- Be shirtless or wear an open-front hospital gown
- Lie down on a bed while you sit in a nearby chair
- Have warm gel applied to his or her chest to help transmit sound waves
- Be asked to roll over or turn so the tech can reach various areas of the chest
When will I learn the results of my child's echocardiogram?
Echocardiograms provide immediate information on the anatomy and function of your child’s heart. The results of this test are sent to your child’s doctor immediately following the exam, and he or she will contact you within 24 hours. Riley at IU Health cardiologists work together with other specialists, such as surgeons, to confirm the results of echocardiograms and ensure that a team of experts is involved in creating the best care plan for your child.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- An echocardiogram is a pain-free, non-invasive test to capture moving images of your child’s beating heart.
- Echocardiograms are very sensitive ultrasounds that provide doctors with a lot of detailed information about the anatomy and function of your child’s heart.
- This test takes 20 to 40 minutes to complete and provides immediate information.