Trans-thoracic echocardiography

Why would you be prescribed an echocardiography?

A trans-thoracic echocardiography is a non-invasive heart imaging procedure which provides cardiologists with both anatomical and functional data.

This procedure provides images of:

  • the “walls” of this hollow organ: the thickness, morphology and mechanical aspect of the muscular walls; the anatomy and morphology of the valves; the morphology of the pericardia;
  • and its “contents”: the intra-cardiac blood flow.

This is an essential analysis for all patients suffering from heart anomalies; it can provide diagnostic precisions and evaluate the severity of the condition. It is also used to find out if certain symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, nausea…) or signs (respiration, swelling of the ankles, etc.) are related to a heart problem.

The echocardiography procedure in detail

For this test an ultra-sound sensor (also known as a probe or transducer) is placed on your thorax, this emits and receives ultra-sound waves. The apparatus converts these ultra-sound waves into dynamic images. These still and moving images are recorded digitally to a computer server with a large storage capacity; some of the images are printed out for the final report.

Before the test
No special preparation is required. You can eat and drink as normal, notably you should continue your prescribed medication. No sedatives are required. In most cases you can come to the ultra-sound imaging laboratory by your own means. If you are hospitalised you will be taken there by a nurse (in a wheel chair or bed depending on your mobility condition). The test takes about thirty minutes. Do not hesitate to ask the nurse who receives you or the doctor conducting the test if you have any questions.

During the test

Once inside the ultra-sound imaging room you will be asked to lie down with your torso exposed. You will be asked some questions: name, age, date of birth, the reason for the test and the name of the referring doctor; you weight and height will be checked systematically; it will be up to you to provide the cardiologist conducting the test with the letter of referral or prescription from your doctor. Three self-adhesive pads will be attached to your thorax, these will record your heart-rate during the procedure. The doctor will place the sensor on your thorax, this may feel cold (a water-based gel is always applied to the sensor) but will involve no pain. During the test you may be asked to change position, on the back, side or with the head extended. You may also be asked to alter your rate of respiration, either to hold it in, breathe out deeply or, less frequently, breathe in deeply. You may also be asked to flex your legs. All of these actions aim to improve the quality of the ultra-sound images during the test. This test involves no irradiation (ultra-sound is not an x-ray) and will cause no undesirable side effects.

After the test

You will be able to leave the echocardiography laboratory by the same means that you arrived. The test will then be analysed by the cardiologist who conducted the test; a final report will be drafted which will be associated with the more important images recorded during the procedure.

Further information

Potential risks:
None.

The benefits of the procedure:

These are quite broad ranging. The information collected can be used to confirm or add precisions to the diagnosis of your heart problem (or alternatively conclude the absence of a heart illness), to evaluate the severity of the condition, provide guidance for the medical treatment which may be required (medication, surgery, etc.) or evaluate any evolution of the condition in reaction to treatment.

When will you receive the results?

At the end of the test the doctor will provide a brief summary of the key results. These results will always be compared with a clinical examination (your answers to the questions asked, your individual and parental medical background, physical examination and auscultation).

The echocardiography may sometimes be completed with other ultra-sound imaging tests (trans-oesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography), radiological tests (scanner, MRI) or angiographic tests (coronary catheterisation). At least 24 hours will be required before the final results are handed over to your by the service’s reception.

If the results indicate the necessity, the echocardiograph specialist may need to communicate the key aspects of the results to your GP by telephone. If requested, the images recorded during the test can be provided to you on a digital support (CD or DVD). In certain cases (patients resident outside of the Paris region or unable to travel to the hospital with ease) the final results can be sent to you or your doctor by post.

Practical information

Adult echocardiography:
Dr Coraline CHALARD, Cardiologist, Ex-Paris Hospital Intern, DIU echocardiography, specialist in cardiac insufficiency and oncocardiology.

Dr Clémence DARRORT, Cardiologist, Ex-Paris Hospital Intern – Ex-Assistant Clinic Head.

Dr Dominique de ZUTTERE, Cardiologist, Paris Hospital Physician, member of the French Cardiology Association.

Dr Laura ROSTAIN, Cardiologist, Ex-Paris Hospital Intern, DIU echocardiography, DIU in interventional cardiology. Specialist in ischemic cardiopathy.

Dr Rith SAN, Cardiologist, Ex-Paris Hospital Intern, DIU echocardiography, DIU of cardiac imagery, coroscanner and myocardial MRI.

Paediatric echocardiography:
Dr Stefanie WALTER-BRUNEAU, cardio paediatrician and Paris Hospital Physician (Part-time Hospital Physician at the Louis Mourier Hospital, Colombes).

Monday to Friday
Appointments: 01 47 59 55 01 or 01 47 59 59 50