Echocardiogram, Child

Why is this procedure done?

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to make moving pictures of your childs heart. It is also known as an echo. An echo looks at how well your child's heart works. The doctor is trying to learn about any problems with your child's heart. The doctor may look at the size of the heart, the different parts of the heart, such as the chambers and valves, and how the blood flows. The doctor will also check how well the heart pumps. Your child's doctor may be looking for problems like: ‚

Weakening of the heart
Problems with the blood vessels that give oxygen to the heart muscle
Problems with the heart that have been there since birth
Extra noises when listening to your child's heartbeat
Heart infection
Swollen area on a main blood vessel
Blood clots
A heart that is bigger than it should be
Problems with the heart valves

There are four types of echos: ‚

The probe is moved around the outside of the chest area. It is a transthoracic echo.
The probe is put down the food pipe after giving drugs to put your child to sleep. This gives a closer, more detailed look at the heart. It is a transesophageal echo.
A test that looks at the speed and direction of the blood flow in your child's heart. It is a Doppler echo. This can be done as part of the transthoracic or transesophageal echo.
Your child has the test done before, during, and after an activity. This is known as a stress echo.

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What will the results be?

The pictures are looked at by a heart doctor. The results will show if there are any problems with your childs heart. ‚

What happens before the procedure?

Your doctor will take your childs history and do an exam. Talk to the doctor about all the drugs you are giving your child. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if your child has any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs your child takes with you.
You will be given more instructions if your child is to have a transesophageal echo.

What happens during the procedure?

Transthoracic and Doppler echos ‚

Your child will lie down on a bed. The technician will place a small amount of gel on your childs chest. It will help send sound waves inside the body.
The technician will use a probe and will move it over the area. The probe puts out sound waves. The sound waves bounce off of your child's organs. A computer picks up the sound waves. It changes them into pictures.
You can see the pictures in a monitor beside the bed. The probe may move over your child's skin and change positions.
This will help to get more clear and complete images. The technician may take still pictures or a videotape of moving images. Sometimes, the technician may press the probe more firmly to get a clearer view of an area. Your child may feel some discomfort. The technician may ask your child to change positions or hold the breath for a few seconds.
The procedure is painless and takes about 30 to 35 minutes.

Transesophageal echo ‚

Once your child is in the operating room, the staff will give them a drug. This will help your child relax and stay pain free during the procedure. The staff will put an I.V. in your child's arm to give fluids and drugs.
The staff will attach ECG electrodes on your child's body to watch the heart rate. They will put a cuff on your child's arm to check their blood pressure.
Your doctor will spray a drug in your child's throat to numb the area.
Your child will be asked to lie on their left side. The staff may put a small tube in your child's nose to help them breathe. They will place a tool in your child's mouth to keep it open during the procedure.
The doctor will slide the probe down your child's throat and into the food pipe. The doctor will take pictures of your child's heart from different angles. Then the probe is taken out.
This procedure takes less than 60 minutes.

What happens after the procedure?

The doctor will look at the printed images or videotape. You may be able to take your child home right after the procedure. If your child had a transesophageal echo, they may need to stay at the hospital for a few hours. Talk to the doctor about when the results will be ready. ‚

What care is needed at home?

Ask the doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child. ‚

What follow-up care is needed?

The results will help the doctor understand what kind of illness your child has. Together you can make a plan for more care.
The doctor may send your child to a heart specialist if the test result shows some problem.

What problems could happen?

Echocardiogram has no known harmful effects. ‚

Where can I learn more?

British Heart Foundation ‚
http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/tests/echocardiogram.aspx ‚
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/ ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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