Your Doctor has decided that you should have a Contrast Echocardiogram.
An echocardiogram or ‘echo’ is a scan that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to produce pictures of the heart. The test is painless and does not use radioactivity.
During a Contrast Echo a Contrast agent is injected which improves the quality of the images that are being recorded.
Why is it being done?
• If your Doctor has decided that you need an Echocardiogram, but the picture quality is not very good, a contrast agent can be used to help improve the images.
• A Contrast Echo is also used to help diagnose if you have any holes in the heart.
You will be taken into a darkened room. One or two people will usually be present. The person performing the test is called a Sonographer, who may be male or female. The Sonographer will usually NOT be a doctor. You will not be given the results of the test on the day. This will mean some questions may need to be answered by your doctor at your next appointment.
It may be a good idea to write these questions down so you do not forget.
• You will be asked to undress to the waist and put on a gown that should be left open to the front. You will be asked to lie on a couch on your left hand side.
• Stickers will be attached to your chest and connected to the machine. These will be used to monitor your heart rate during the test. A drip will be placed in your arm.
The Sonographer will record a number of pictures of the heart. Whilst this is happening, a contrast agent will be injected into the drip to improve the quality of the images. If the Doctor is looking for the presence of a hole in the heart, you may be asked to cough and sniff whilst the images are being recorded.
• The echocardiogram will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.
No. You can take all your medication as normal. You can eat and drink as normal.
Once the echocardiogram is complete you can get dressed and leave. There are no limitations to what you can do after the scan, for example, you may drive.
As the test will require analysis you will not receive the results on the day, a report will be sent to your Consultant or GP, dependent on who requests the test.
There is an extremely small risk (less than 1 in 10,000) of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast agent used. If you have had allergic reactions to any medicines before please inform us before starting the test.
