Description
A cardiac ultrasound, also known as a heart ultrasound or triplex scan, is a non-invasive and painless procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to reveal important information about the structure of your heart, how it functions, as well as the major blood vessels surrounding it. The ultrasound waves emitted by the echocardiograph (the device used to perform the triplex) onto the heart walls are converted into images—both still and moving (video), which appear on the device’s screen and allow the heart to be viewed from different angles.
How the exam is performed
A transthoracic echocardiogram is a painless and safe test that lasts about 15–30 minutes, during which the patient lies on their back or on their left side. Using a small amount of gel to help the ultrasound waves travel better, the doctor places the transducer—a small, pen-shaped device—on the patient’s chest and, with small movements, visualizes the heart from various angles. The transducer emits ultrasound waves that are reflected by the various structures of the heart and detected again by the transducer. These reflected waves are analyzed and converted into an image that appears on the machine’s screen. The image changes continuously depending on the received ultrasound waves, resulting in a depiction of the movement of the heart and its structures, as well as blood flow.
In some cases, the patient may be asked to exhale and hold their breath for a few seconds, as air in the lungs can affect the image.
After the transthoracic echocardiogram is complete, the patient can resume their daily activities without restrictions.
Who is it for?
A heart ultrasound is one of the most essential tests for diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.
The most common reason for performing a cardiac ultrasound is to check for a “murmur” that we hear with a stethoscope. Some murmurs are harmless to the patient’s health, but others may be signs of heart disease.
Chest pain during exercise may be a sign of coronary artery disease, which must be evaluated with a cardiac triplex scan.
Shortness of breath or swelling in the legs may be signs of heart failure, a condition that a cardiac ultrasound can diagnose. When the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet your body’s needs, its function gradually declines, leading to heart failure.
The presence of arrhythmias and/or episodes of fainting are also symptoms that warrant a cardiac triplex test.
Patients who have had a myocardial infarction or stroke should always undergo a cardiac ultrasound.
Regular echocardiograms are necessary so that your cardiologist can assess how well your heart is responding to certain treatments, such as those used for heart failure or following a myocardial infarction.
People with an increased cardiovascular risk, particularly for coronary artery disease—such as diabetics, smokers, and those with high blood pressure—should also undergo a cardiac ultrasound at regular intervals.
If abnormalities are detected on a resting electrocardiogram, a cardiac triplex scan is usually recommended.
For preventive cardiological screening, pre-athletic screening, and preoperative screening.