Echocardiography

What is an echocardiogram?

Echocardiography allows for a detailed examination of the heart’s structure, function, and movement within a few minutes and without radiation exposure. The test allows for an assessment of the heart chambers, heart valves, and blood flow within the heart, and provides important information about various heart conditions.

Modern methods such as 2D and 3D echocardiography, Doppler techniques, and strain imaging allow for a detailed and precise assessment of cardiac structure and function.

Color Doppler echocardiography can be used to visualize processes in the heart in color. The doctor sees how the ventricles fill with blood, how the heart valves move and how the heart works. The blood flow in the heart and the function of the heart valves can therefore be examined particularly well.

When is an echocardiogram performed?

An echocardiogram can provide important information about various symptoms and heart conditions. These include, among other things, heart valve defects, heart failure, arrhythmias, pericardial diseases, and congenital heart defects. Even after a heart attack, the test can help assess possible changes or damage to the heart muscle.

What types of echocardiography are there?

Depending on the specific issue, different types of echocardiography are used. At the University Hospital of Zurich, we perform various echocardiographic examinations using state-of-the-art ultrasound techniques.

In addition, echocardiography is also used as part of preventive medical examinations and cardiological checkups to detect or rule out heart disease at an early stage.

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the most common type of cardiac ultrasound. During the procedure, the ultrasound transducer is placed on the chest (thorax) to examine the heart through the chest wall. The exam is painless, radiation-free, and usually takes only a few minutes.

2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography can be used to assess, among other things, heart function, the size of the heart chambers, the heart valves, and possible heart muscle diseases. In addition, Doppler and color Doppler echocardiography can be used to visualize blood flow and flow patterns within the heart.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), also known as a transesophageal echocardiogram, provides particularly detailed ultrasound images of the heart. During the procedure, a thin ultrasound probe is inserted through the esophagus under short-term anesthesia. Because the esophagus is located directly behind the heart, certain structures of the heart can be assessed with particular precision. The test is generally very well tolerated and involves only minimal risks. This test is used in particular to diagnose heart valve defects, inflammation of the heart valves, blood clots, or congenital heart defects. Patients must have an empty stomach before the examination.

Stress echocardiography or exercise echocardiography

Stress echocardiography—also known as exercise echocardiography—assesses heart function during physical or pharmacological stress. This involves comparing ultrasound images of the heart taken at rest and during exercise.

The test helps detect circulatory disorders of the heart muscle, heart valve diseases, or exercise-induced heart dysfunction. The stress test is performed either on a stationary bike or using medication.

Contrast Echocardiography

In contrast echocardiography, a special ultrasound contrast agent is administered through a vein. This allows for an even more accurate assessment of the heart chambers and heart function. This examination is used in particular when standard images do not provide sufficient information for an assessment or when specific issues—such as ruling out blood clots—need to be clarified.

How is an echocardiogram performed?

The exact procedure for an echocardiogram depends on the specific examination method used. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)—the standard form of cardiac ultrasound performed through the chest—is the most commonly performed procedure.

For the examination, the patient lies on an examination table, usually turned slightly toward the left side of the body. Next, ultrasound gel is applied to the chest to ensure optimal image quality. The doctor or a specialized professional moves the ultrasound transducer over the chest and takes images of the heart from various angles.

The examination is painless, radiation-free, and usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the specific issue being evaluated. As a rule, no special preparation is required. After the examination, patients can resume their normal activities immediately.

Depending on the specific issue, additional tests such as transesophageal echocardiography (swallow echo), stress echocardiography, or an examination using contrast dye may be necessary.

Treatment team

Our team consists of physicians with proven expertise in echocardiography, as well as specialized professionals who focus almost exclusively on performing echocardiograms. Together, they ensure a high-quality and precise diagnostic evaluation.

We perform over 17,000 echocardiograms each year. Image acquisition is performed by specialized professionals. Senior physicians evaluate the images, interpret the findings, and approve the results; if necessary, they order additional imaging studies. State-of-the-art ultrasound techniques and many years of experience enable a comprehensive evaluation of various heart conditions.