2D ECHO WITH DOPPLER ADULT

Other Name: 2-D (2-Dimensional) Echocardiography, Resting Echocardiogram

Test Composition: The cardiac doppler reveals the speed and direction of blood flow within the heart.  The doppler uses sound waves that reflect off the moving red blood cells within the heart chambers.

Patient's Preparation: It takes half an hour to perform a 2D Echo and an additional 30 minutes for the Doppler. There is no radiation nor dye used.

Intended Use:  A cardiac doppler is helpful in evaluating valve function.  Color Flow Mapping is usually done in conjunction with the Doppler test. It shows the speed and direction of blood flow, but the images are in color. The color allows the physician to "map" abnormalities in blood flow.