Echocardiography is a diagnostic tool used for testing cardiac diseases. this slides explains the types and role of nurse in this procedure

1. Echocardiography
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2. Introduction
It is a type of ultrasound test that uses high pitched sound waves to
produce an image of the heart
The sound waves are sent through a device called transducer and are
reflected off the various structures.
These echoes are converted into pictures of the heart which is seen on a
video monitor

3. Components
Pulse generator
Transducer
Receiver
Display
Memory

4. Indications
● Information on valvular structure and motion
● Cardiac chamber size and contents
● Ventricular muscle , septal motion and thickness
● Ejection fraction
● Pericardial sac
● Ascending aorta
● Congenital deformities
● Structural abnormalities
● Cardiac mass

5. Types
1. TransThoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
2. Transesophageal Echocardiogram(TEE)
3. Stress Echo /Dobutamine stress Echo
4. Intravascular Echocardiogram

6. Modalities of ECHO
Two dimensional Echo
M-mode Echo
Doppler Echo
Color Doppler

7. Nurses responsibilities
Standard Echo: TTE- no special preparation required

8. TEE
● NPO for 6 hours
● Dentures should be removed
● Consent obtained
● IV line
● Electrodes attached and ECG monitored
● BP and Spo2 monitor
● Mild sedation given through IV
● Endoscopic transducer is lubricated and introduced into the esophagus
● Client is advised to swallow.
● The pictures and posterior heart is viewed clearly through TEE
● After the procedure , the client’s gag reflex is checked before starting feed

9. Stress or Dobutamine echo
NPO
No caffeine for 24 hours
No over the counter pills
Not to take some medications like Beta blockers,isosorbide,NTG etc. as per order
Do not discontinue any medication without order
Dobutamine stress test- 40 to 50 ugm/kg/min , is injected intravenously before
Echo
To increase further the Heart rate bolus of 0.25-1.0mg of atropine is added