Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography)

Ultrasound examinations of the heart are part of our everyday work. What can we detect with a cardiac ultrasound? How does such an examination work? You can find out here.

We use a cardiac ultrasound to look at the heart valves, the heart muscle and the aorta (artery) and determine the heart's structure and function. In terms of cardiac function, we check the strength (ejection fraction, normally at least 52%) and elasticity (diastolic dysfunction). Congenital heart defects and diseases of the pericardium can also be detected. In addition, the course of an already known heart disease can be monitored. Cardiac ultrasound can also be used to find indications of an increase in pressure in the pulmonary circulation, i.e. pulmonary hypertension.

Echocardiography can be performed in different ways. We look at your heart either from the outside (transthoracic) or from the inside from the esophagus (transesophageal, also known as swallowing ultrasound). In transthoracic echocardiography, the ultrasound probe is placed on the chest, as well as in the upper abdomen and neck area. For specific questions, a swallowing ultrasound is performed under sedation (half-sleep with Disoprivane or Dormicum/Pethidine). An elongated ultrasound probe is inserted into the oesophagus and placed directly behind the heart so that even small structures such as blood clots or an open foramen ovale can be detected or indications of valve problems can be obtained.

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