Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound scan of the heart. It takes approximately 30 – 40 minutes to perform. The test takes place in a private room and the patient will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up, if the patient is female they will be offered a gown. The patient will then be asked to lying on their left side on the couch. Gel will then be applied to the chest, stomach and neck in order to image the heart and great vessels.

Each echocardiogram is carried out by a fully qualified and experienced echocardiographer. Using the Vivid I, all scans closely adhere to the British Society of Echocardiography's, a Minimum Dataset for a Standard Transthoracic Echocardiogram. We also assess LV diastolic function using tissue velocity imaging as standard. All echocardiogram reports are reviewed by” either Dr. Trevor Johnston FRCP or Dr. Audrius Simaitis MD PhD who are both consultant cardiologists at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust Treliske. His profession opinion and the technical report will then be sent to the referring doctor within a week.