Pediatric echocardiography is mainly used for the detection of congenital heart defects. It is also used for the evaluation of murmurs and is an essential tool to evaluate the effectiveness of medical therapy and surgical treatments.
An echocardiogram is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create an image of the heart's internal anatomy. Two-dimensional echocardiography is often combined with Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the heart.
The test is performed by a pediatric echocardiographer (a technologist with extensive training and certification in echocardiography) and is interpreted by a pediatric cardiologist who is also specially trained in pediatric echocardiography.
The examiner will put a few stick-on patches called electrodes on the patient for an EKG (electrocardiographic) tracing during the exam. He or she will also put a small handheld device (called a transducer) on the chest and abdomen. It sends and receives the sounds waves and is connected by cable to the ultrasound machine. The ultrasound machine is a computer that converts sounds waves to pictures. A small amount of clear gel is used between the transducer and chest to make sure there is proper skin contact. The exam is completely painless and usually lasts less than 30 minutes. No preparation is necessary for the examination.
Pediatric echocardiograms have been performed by Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute since the late 1970s. We are fully accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories, and perform approximately 8,500 studies a year. The lab currently performs transthoracic, transesophageal, and fetal echocardiograms. In addition, we are also currently performing three dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, utilizing the latest and most advanced technology available. All sonographers on staff are double registered in both adult and pediatric echocardiography by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
(Pediatric Echocardiography Team)
