Pediatric

PEDIATRIC CARDIAC ULTRASOUND

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart.  It is sometimes just called an ‘ECHO’.  The scan can give accurate pictures of the heart muscle, the heart chambers, and structures within the heart such as the valves.  A pediatric echo  is used to diagnose and follow-up on abnormalities of the heart like congenital heart defects, etc.

You do not need any special preparation before the test. You eat and drink normally before and after the exam.  You will be asked to remove your shirt and you will be given a gown to wear and/or draped with a sheet.  The patient lies on their back on an examination bed and may be asked to lie on their side.  A water-soluble gel is applied to the chest to help the ultrasound transducer (wand) move smoothly over the skin and produce better images (at CURE Diagnostics we warm the gel before applying).  The sonographer will gently place the transducer on your chest and acquire images.

The acquired images (echocardiogram) are interpreted by a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer then sent to a board-certified radiologist for creation of a diagnostic ultrasound report detailing your results and diagnosis.