Exams Performed in the Echocardiography (ECHO) Lab Echocardiography (Echo) Lab | Page 18

• An intravenous line (IV) will be inserted into a vein in your arm. This IV will be used to
administer dobutamine, the medication we use to stress the heart. The IV can also be
used to inject saline (salt water) or other imaging enhancing agents to help produce
clearer pictures.
• The cardiac sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table to
perform a resting echocardiogram, a safe and painless test that uses high-frequency
sound waves (ultrasound) to create images of the heart.
• You may receive a special liquid agent that is used to help evaluate heart or valve
function. Known as an ultrasonic image enhancer, this liquid agent is not radioactive
and is safe to use in patients with kidney problems.
• You may be asked to change positions several times during the exam so the cardiac
sonographer can take pictures of different areas of the heart. You may also be asked to
hold your breath at times.
• Before beginning the dobutamine infusion, lab personnel will perform a resting EKG,
measure your resting heart rate, and take your blood pressure.
• The physician or nurse will administer increasing doses of dobutamine to make your
heart beat faster and harder, just as if you were exercising. The infusion will continue
until you reach a target heart rate determined by your age. The medication may cause
a flushing sensation and, rarely, a mild headache. The cardiac sonographer will obtain
echo images throughout the infusion.
• Lab personnel will ask how you are feeling at regular intervals. Please tell them if
you feel chest, arm, or jaw discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or other
concerning symptoms.
• Lab personnel will watch for changes on the ECG monitor that suggest the test should
be stopped.
• After the test, your heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will continue to be monitored
until the levels are returning to normal.
• The IV will be removed from your arm once the test is completed. Your heart rate should
return to normal within 5-10 minutes.
How long does the test take?
The test will take about 60 minutes. The dobutamine infusion used to actually stress the
heart usually only lasts about 15 minutes. Once the test is complete, you will be allowed
to get dressed and go home or to other scheduled appointments. You should plan to stay
an additional 30 minutes after completing the procedure, if needed to ensure that any
symptoms you experienced have resolved.