Echocardiogram
An ultrasound of the heart that provides detailed moving images of its chambers, valves, and pumping function.
An echocardiogram is a cardiac ultrasound that assesses heart structure, ejection fraction, valve function, diastolic performance, and pericardial disease. It is the primary non-invasive cardiac investigation, performed in-clinic by Dr. Peter Chang without radiation or pain.
Book This Evaluation
Echocardiography uses sound waves to create real-time images, allowing the doctor to evaluate heart muscle and valve performance.
What It Detects
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) — determines heart failure classification
- Wall motion abnormalities indicating coronary artery disease or prior infarction
- Valve morphology, gradients, and regurgitation severity
- Diastolic dysfunction grades affecting filling pressures
- Myocardial deformation via global longitudinal strain
- Intracardiac pressures and pulmonary hypertension status
- Pericardial effusion or tamponade physiology
How It's Performed
The patient lies on their left side while a probe is positioned on the chest wall. The standard transthoracic examination takes 30–45 minutes with no advance preparation required. More specialised variants include transesophageal (superior posterior imaging), stress echocardiogram (with exercise or medication), 3D reconstruction, and contrast-enhanced studies.
Types of Echocardiogram
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) — standard in-clinic examination
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) — superior imaging for complex valve disease or stroke
- Stress echocardiogram — assesses heart function under physical or pharmacological stress
- 3D echocardiogram — detailed structural assessment for valve surgery planning
Who Should Get It
- Breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, syncope, or peripheral oedema
- Cardiac murmurs detected on clinical examination
- Baseline and serial monitoring of known cardiac conditions
- Assessment of heart failure, valve disease, or cardiomyopathy
Ready to Schedule Your Echocardiogram?
Most evaluations are available on the same day as your consultation with Dr. Peter Chang at Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore.