Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasound

The technology of ultrasound utilizes sound waves to obtain images of different parts of the body. Doctors refer to ultrasound of the heart as echocardiography. When doctors use ultrasound to image the veins and arteries, the term vascular ultrasound applies.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography offers clear, video images of the beating heart and allows the cardiologist to closely evaluate the muscle for any weakness or abnormal contractions. The echocardiogram also evaluates the valves of the heart and will detect leaking or abnormal constriction of the heart valves.

The registered cardiac sonographers at Southeast Houston Cardiology perform these tests in a period of twenty to thirty minutes. The technologist applies a small quantity of conductive jelly to the chest wall and than uses an ultrasound probe to obtain an array of video images of the heart. The procedure is painless and requires no needles or blood tests.

Carotid Ultrasound

This technology allows our cardiologists to image the arteries delivering blood to the brain (carotid arteries). Based on the velocity of the blood flow (doppler imaging) and the appearance of the vessels, our cardiologists can detect narrowing of the arteries. Early detection of arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) allows doctors to prescribe medications to prevent strokes or surgically widen the vessels supplying blood to the brain.

Ultrasound of the Lower Extremities

Southeast Houston Cardiology offers two types of vascular ultrasound: venous and arterial. The venous studies employ ultrasound and doppler tests to search for blood clots in the veins of the legs. Detecting these blood clots early is extremely important, because clots in the veins of the legs sometimes dislodge and float into the lung. A blood clot that migrates to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can be life threatening.

Southeast Houston Cardiology also offers arterial imaging of the legs. These studies search for any narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying blood flow to the legs. Narrowing of the arteries in the legs often results in pain with ambulation called claudication. If our cardiologists detect obstruction of the arteries in the legs, they may recommend medications or further testing to treat the condition.