Echocardiography Specialists

Our Expertise in Echocardiography

Our team performs over 20,000 echocardiography exams each year. These include transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, contrast-enhanced echocardiograms, stress echocardiograms (dobutamine, bicycle, treadmill), and imaging support for procedures in the hybrid operating room. We use 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional methods to determine not only the size and function but also the deformation of all heart chambers. In doing so, we place great emphasis on a comprehensive assessment by evaluating patients’ hearts within the context of their overall health.

The echocardiography team at the University Hospital of Zurich has many years of experience in evaluating complex cardiac conditions. The examinations are conducted in close collaboration with specialists from various fields of cardiology as well as other medical disciplines.

An overview of our areas of focus:

• More than 30 specialists in the field of echocardiography
• Over 5,000 complex echocardiographic examinations per year
• Use of modern 3-D and deformation techniques
• Imaging Support for Interventional Procedures in the Hybrid Operating Room
• Performing specialized stress and contrast echocardiograms
• Specialization in complex cardiovascular issues

Echocardiography Services at the USZ

The echocardiography team at the USZ offers a wide range of specialized diagnostic procedures and state-of-the-art ultrasound technologies. This allows for a differentiated assessment of both common and complex heart diseases.

Applications of Echocardiography at the USZ

Echocardiography is used at the USZ to diagnose and evaluate various heart conditions. These include, among other things, heart valve defects, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and changes resulting from a heart attack.

Specialized echocardiographic techniques are also used to evaluate blood flow disorders in the heart muscle and diseases of the pericardium. Depending on the medical issue, different types of examinations and modern imaging technologies are used.

Types of Echocardiography Examinations

• Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE): Transthoracic echocardiography is the most common type of cardiac ultrasound. During this procedure, the heart is examined using ultrasound through the chest to assess heart function, the heart chambers, and the heart valves.
• Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): In transesophageal echocardiography, an ultrasound probe is inserted through the esophagus. This allows certain heart structures to be visualized in great detail.
• Stress echocardiography: Stress echocardiography evaluates heart function during physical or pharmacological stress. Depending on the specific test, the stress test is performed on a stationary bike, a treadmill, or using medications such as dobutamine. This allows for the assessment of, among other things, circulatory disorders of the heart muscle (ischemia), exercise-induced changes in valve function, dynamic outflow tract obstructions, and changes in pulmonary pressure.
• Contrast echocardiography: In contrast echocardiography, an ultrasound contrast agent is used to evaluate the heart chambers and heart function even more accurately.
• Interventional Echocardiography: Interventional echocardiography provides imaging support during complex cardiac procedures, such as those performed in a hybrid operating room or during structural heart procedures.

Modern Methods and Imaging Technologies

• 1D, 2D, and 3D Echocardiography: The USZ uses state-of-the-art 1D, 2D, and 3D ultrasound technologies. 3D echocardiography provides a highly precise three-dimensional view of the heart and heart valves and aids in the evaluation of complex anatomical structures.
• 2D and 3D Deformation Analysis: Modern deformation analysis allows for a detailed assessment of the function of the heart’s ventricles and atria. This allows even subtle changes in heart function to be accurately detected.

Contact and Referral

Team

Our interdisciplinary echocardiography team at the University Hospital of Zurich consists of specialized physicians, ultrasound technicians, and other experts in cardiac imaging. Thanks to close collaboration within the Department of Cardiology and with other departments, even complex cardiac issues can be comprehensively evaluated.