Echocardiography is the study of the structure and motion of the heart through an ultrasound. Started in 1953, echocardiography has fundamentally changed and improved patient care. A rapidly evolving technology, it has become a fundamental tool for cardiologists.

An echocardiogram, or “echo,” is a painless, portable procedure that can be performed in a physician’s office or the hospital. It can be quickly used in routine and emergency situations, as well as in outpatient appointments.

When the ultrasound waves pass through the chest wall, the procedure is called a surface echo. A transesophageal echo consists of ultrasound waves passing through the esophagus.

Echocardiography provides an accurate assessment of blood flow through the major vessels, heart chambers and heart valves.

In most circumstances, echocardiography examinations have replaced invasive procedures for the diagnosis or monitoring of heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

Echocardiography is extremely safe. There are no known risks from the clinical use of ultrasound during this type of testing.