Echocardiography
Echocardiography is a procedure that evaluates the heart by using ultrasound waves.
By performing an echocardiogram, Dr. Lipton can accurately diagnose various heart
problems and measure the blood flow through the heart. An echocardiogram is a painless
procedure with virtually no side effects.
During the examination, a probe is held on the chest. The probe generates ultrasound
waves that bounce (or echo) off of the walls and valves of the heart. That same
transducer listens to the echos as they return to the probe, and a computer then
translates that returned information into a picture of the heart. This picture
is then displayed onto a television screen. If the echo machine utilizes 2 Dimensional
technology, then the picture of the heart that is created is represented in two
dimensions.
The value of diagnostic ultrasound lies in the wealth of accurate information it
can deliver about the heart without risk to the patient. It provides a window into
the human body, through which we can see certain manifestations of disease that
might otherwise go undetected.
Cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography, helps diagnose heart disease by allowing
Dr. Lipton to evaluate blood flow in the heart, measure the size and function
of the contracting heart, and study the motion of the heart valves. It provides accurate
information that shows diseased areas that might otherwise go undetected.
Live 3D Echocardiography
Live 3D Echocardiography is the latest advance in echocardiography. In contrast to 2 Dimensional echocardiography, Live 3D echo creates a 3 dimensional picture
of the heart.
The technology available in the Lipton Echocardiography Laboratory allows for
not only 2D Echo but also Live 3D as well. This allows Dr. Lipton to quickly and easily
visualize complex cardiac anatomy previously concealed during routine echo exams
and provides:
- Better visualization of complex anatomic features
- Better assessment of valvular function
- Better assessment of regional/global function
Stress Test
This diagnostic procedure is used to measure how your heart responds to physical
activity. In addition, it can be useful in detecting if the blood flow in your coronary
arteries is restricted due to blockages.
During the exam, the patient will be asked to walk on a treadmill. As the treadmill goes
faster, the oxygen demands of your body increase and the heart requires more blood
and oxygen. If the circulation to the heart is limited, then the patient may experience
symptoms related to insufficient blood supply, and there may be EKG changes as well.
Stress Echocardiography
The blood supply to the heart is from the coronary arteries. Coronary artery disease
(CAD) represents a large percentage of the cardiology workload today. Stress echocardiography
combines features of the Stress Test with echocardiographic study, and is a useful
and widely applied clinical tool in the assessment of the heart’s function
and the severity of coronary artery disease. The technique is based on the assumption
that insufficient blood supply to the heart resulting from exercise can be detected
and localized with echocardiography.
With Stress Echocardiography, the wall motion of the heart at rest is compared to
wall motion immediately after peak exercise. Abnormalities that occur with
exercise that were not present at rest can indicate insufficient blood and
oxygen supply possibly due to blocked coronary arteries.