A bone x-ray makes images of any bone in the body, including the hand, wrist, arm, foot, ankle, knee, leg or spine. Most bone x-rays require no special preparation.

The chest x-ray is the most commonly performed diagnostic x-ray examination. A chest x-ray makes images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest. A chest x-ray requires no special preparation.

Conventional arthrography is the x-ray examination of a joint that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material containing iodine.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When iodine is injected into the joint space, it coats the inner lining of the joint structures and appears bright white on an arthrogram, allowing the radiologist to assess the anatomy and function of the joint. No special preparation is necessary before arthrography. Food and fluid intake do not need to be restricted.

You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to iodinated contrast materials. Also inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiography, also called a lower GI or barium enema, is an x-ray examination of the large intestine, also known as the colon. This includes the right or ascending colon, the transverse colon, the left or descending colon, sigmoid colon and the rectum. The appendix and a portion of the distal small intestine may also be included.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

The lower GI uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material called barium.

Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When the lower gastrointestinal tract is filled with barium, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the rectum, colon and part of the lower small intestine.

A physician may order a lower GI examination to detect:

• benign tumors (such as polyps)
• cancer
• signs of other intestinal illnesses

The procedure is frequently performed to help diagnose symptoms such as:

• chronic diarrhea
• blood in stools
• constipation
• irritable bowel syndrome
• unexplained weight loss
• a change in bowel habits
• suspected blood loss
• abdominal pain

Images of the small bowel and colon are also used to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, a group of disorders that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

How to prepare for your lower GI exam:

• Clear liquid starting at noon the day before your examination.
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to your examination.
• Bowel preparation is necessary for the examination. The preparation kit is available at the CVMC Medical Imaging department at no additional charge and contains complete instructions for its use. Please pick up this kit two days prior to your examination.

Upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, also called an upper GI, is an x-ray examination of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (also known as the duodenum) that uses a special form of x-ray called fluoroscopy and an orally ingested contrast material called barium.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

Fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When the upper GI tract is coated with barium, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

An x-ray examination that evaluates only the pharynx and esophagus is called a barium swallow.

In addition to drinking barium, some patients are also given baking-soda crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer) to further improve the images. This procedure is called an air-contrast or double-contrast upper GI.

An upper GI examination helps evaluate digestive function and to detect:

• ulcers
• tumors
• inflammation of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
• hiatal hernias
• scarring
• blockages
• abnormalities of the muscular wall of GI tissues

The procedure is also used to help diagnose symptoms such as:

• difficulty swallowing
• chest and abdominal pain
• reflux (a backward flow of partially digested food and digestive juices)
• unexplained vomiting
• severe indigestion
• blood in the stool (indicating internal GI bleeding)

How to prepare for your upper GI examination:

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight prior to your exam.

An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder that uses iodinated contrast material injected into veins.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.

When a contrast material is injected into a vein in the patient's arm, it travels through the blood stream and collects in the kidneys and urinary tract, turning these areas bright white. An IVP allows the radiologist to view and assess the anatomy and function of the kidneys, ureters and the bladder.

An intravenous pyelogram examination helps the physician assess abnormalities in the urinary system, as well as how quickly and efficiently the patient's system is able to handle waste.

The exam is used to help diagnose symptoms such as blood in the urine or pain in the side or lower back.

The IVP exam can enable the radiologist to detect problems within the urinary tract resulting from:

• kidney stones
• enlarged prostate
• tumors in the kidney, ureters or urinary bladder

How to prepare for your IVP exam:

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight
• Some bowel preparation is necessary for the exam. The preparation is necessary for an optimal
• exam. Please pick up a preparation kit at the CVMC Medical Imaging department 1 day prior to
• your exam at no additional charge.

Interventional Radiology is a term that describes an array of minimally invasive procedures that use imaging guidance instead of traditional surgery. They are generally easier for patients because they involve no large incisions, less risk, less pain, and shorter recovery times. CVMC has qualified, board-certified Interventional Radiologists on staff. Interventional radiology procedures include:

• Angiography
• Angioplasty
• Biliary drainage and stenting
• Central Venous Access (infusion catheters, tunneled catheters, and Medi-Ports)
• Chemoembolization
• Embolization
• Gastrostomy tube
• Kyphoplasty
• Needle biopsy
• Vascular stenting
• Thrombolysis
• Uterine fibroid embolization
• Varicose vein treatment
• Vena cava filter
• Vertebroplasty

Patient scheduled for an interventional radiology procedure at CVMC will be provided with preparation instructions prior to the procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our medical imaging department at 782-1533 or consult with your physician.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or copied to CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).

MR imaging of the body is performed to evaluate:

• organs of the chest, abdomen and pelvis including the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidney, spleen, pancreas and adrenal glands.
• pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testicles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries).
• pelvic and hip bones.
• blood vessels (MR Angiography).

Physicians use the MR examination to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:

• tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
• coronary artery disease and heart problems including the aorta, coronary arteries and blood vessels, by examining the size and thickness of the chambers of the heart and the extent of damage caused by a heart attack or progressive heart disease.
• tumors and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, ovaries, testicles, prostate).
• causes of pelvic pain in women, such as endometriosis.
• functional and anatomical abnormalities of the heart.
• diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs (when a complete diagnostic assessment can not be done with other techniques).
• congenital arterial and venous vascular anomalies and diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis (MR Angiography).
• conditions involving the bile duct, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts (MRCP).

What to do to prepare for your MRI:

Some MRI examinations may require the patient to swallow contrast material or receive an injection of contrast into the bloodstream. The radiologist or technologist may ask if you have allergies of any kind, such as allergy to iodine or x-ray contrast material, drugs, food, the environment, or asthma. However, the contrast material used for an MRI exam, called gadolinium, does not contain iodine and is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

The radiologist should also know if you have any serious health problems and what surgeries you have undergone. Some conditions, such as severe kidney disease may prevent you from having an MRI with contrast material.

Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. MRI has been used for scanning patients since the 1980's with no reports of any ill effects on pregnant women or their babies. However, because the baby will be in a strong magnetic field, pregnant women should not have this exam unless the potential benefit from the MRI is assumed to outweigh the potential risks.

If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative.

Jewelry and other accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the MRI scan. Because they can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI unit, metal and electronic objects are not allowed in the exam room. These items include:

• jewelry, watches, credit cards and hearing aids, all of which can be damaged.
• pins, hairpins, metal zippers and similar metallic items, which can distort MRI images.
• removable dental work.
• pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses.
• body piercings.

In most cases, an MRI exam is safe for patients with metal implants, except for a few types. People with the following implants cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI scanning area unless explicitly instructed to do so by a radiologist or technologist who is aware of the presence of any of the following:

• internal (implanted) defibrillator or pacemaker
• cochlear (ear) implant
• some types of clips used on brain aneurysms

You should tell the technologist if you have medical or electronic devices in your body, because they may interfere with the exam or potentially pose a risk. Examples include but are not limited to:

• artificial heart valves
• implanted drug infusion ports
• implanted electronic device, including a cardiac pacemaker
• artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses
• implanted nerve stimulators
• metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples

In general, metal objects used in orthopedic surgery pose no risk during MRI. However, a recently placed artificial joint may require the use of another imaging procedure. If there is any question of their presence, an x-ray may be taken to detect the presence of any metal objects.

Patients who might have metal objects in certain parts of their bodies may also require an x-ray prior to an MRI. Dyes used in tattoos may contain iron and could heat up during MRI, but this is rarely a problem. Tooth fillings and braces usually are not affected by the magnetic field but they may distort images of the facial area or brain, so the radiologist should be aware of them.

CT scanning - sometimes called CAT scanning is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

CT imaging combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed.

CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams.

Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.

CT imaging is:

• one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis because it provides detailed, cross-sectional views of all types of tissue.
• often the preferred method for diagnosing many different cancers, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer, since the image allows a physician to confirm the presence of a tumor and measure its size, precise location and the extent of the tumor's involvement with other nearby tissue.
• an examination that plays a significant role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases that can lead to stroke, kidney failure or even death. CT is commonly used to assess for pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung vessels) as well as for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
• invaluable in diagnosing and treating spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it can clearly show even very small bones as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels.

Physicians often use the CT examination to:

• quickly identify injuries to the lungs, heart and vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys or other internal organs in cases of trauma
• guide biopsies and other procedures such as abscess drainages and minimally invasive tumor treatments
• plan for and assess the results of surgery
• plan and properly administer radiation treatments for tumors

What to do to prepare for your CT:

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if a contrast material will be used in your exam. You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, or "dye," your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.

Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.

Women should always inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
If you are scheduled for a CT of the Abdomen/Pelvis, you will need to pick up the oral contrast material the day before your appointment. This is available from the medical imaging department on the first floor. You may need an injection of contrast media into your vein depending on the information needed from the examination.

If you have any questions about preparation for your specific CT scan, please contact our medical imaging department at 782-1533.

Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Ultrasound examinations can help to diagnose a variety of conditions and to assess organ damage following illness.

Ultrasound is used to help physicians evaluate symptoms such as:

• pain
• swelling
• infection

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the:

• heart and blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and its major branches
• breast
• liver
• gallbladder
• spleen
• pancreas
• kidneys
• bladder
• uterus, ovaries, and unborn child (fetus) in pregnant patients
• eyes
• thyroid and parathyroid glands
• scrotum (testicles)

What to do to prepare for your biopsy:

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound exam. You will need to remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined.

You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.

Other preparation depends on the type of examination you will have.

If you will be having an OB or Pelvic ultrasound at CVMC, please drink 32 oz. of water or other liquid 1.5 hours prior to your examination and do not void. Your examination requires a full bladder.

If you will be having an abdominal ultrasound at CVMC, eat a fat free dinner the night before and take nothing by mouth for eight hours prior to the examination.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers, heart disease and certain other abnormalities within the body. CVMC utilizes the latest nuclear medicine equipment available, and in fact was the third location in the United States to have the newest and most advanced nuclear medicine system from Phililps installed.

Nuclear medicine or radionuclide imaging procedures are noninvasive and usually painless medical tests that help physicians diagnose medical conditions. These imaging scans use radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the radiotracer is either injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled as a gas and eventually accumulates in the organ or area of your body being examined, where it gives off energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy is detected by a device called a gamma camera. These devices work together with a computer to measure the amount of radiotracer absorbed by your body and to produce special pictures offering details on both the structure and function of organs and tissues.

Physicians use radionuclide imaging procedures to visualize the structure and function of an organ, tissue, bone or system of the body.

Nuclear medicine imaging scans are performed to:

• analyze kidney function
• visualize heart blood flow and function (such as a myocardial perfusion scan)
• scan lungs for respiratory and blood flow problems
• identify inflammation in the gallbladder
• evaluate bones for fractures, infection, arthritis and tumors
• determine the presence or spread of cancer in various parts of the body
• identify bleeding into the bowel
• locate the presence of infection
• measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid
• investigate abnormalities in the brain, such as seizures, memory loss and abnormalities in blood flow
• localize the lymph nodes before surgery in patients with breast cancer or melanoma

What to do to prepare for your nuclear medicine exam:

You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam or you may be allowed to wear your own clothing.

Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant or if they are breastfeeding their baby. You should inform your physician and the technologist performing your exam of any medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements. You should also inform them if you have any allergies and about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
Jewelry and other metallic accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the exam because they may interfere with the procedure.

You will receive specific instructions based on the type of scan you are undergoing.

If you will be having a thyroid scan at CVMC, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Nothing by mouth for 6 hours prior to the examination. You will receive a capsule in the morning and return 5-6 hours later that day for 15 minutes of scanning as well as the next morning for an additional scanning of approximately 1 hour.
• You should be off thyroid medications for 6-8 weeks if possible, and any other iodine medication you may be taking.
• You should not have had an x-ray examination which required contrast media for 6-8 weeks prior to this examination.

CVMC offers stereotactic breast biopsies, a procedure performed to remove some cells from a suspicious area in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. In stereotactic breast biopsy, a special mammography machine uses ionizing radiation to help guide the radiologist's instruments to the site of the abnormal growth.

A stereotactic breast biopsy is performed when a mammogram shows a breast abnormality such as:

• a suspicious solid mass
• microcalcifications, a tiny cluster of small calcium deposits
• a distortion in the structure of the breast tissue
• an area of abnormal tissue change
• a new mass or area of calcium deposits is present at a previous surgery site.
• Stereotactic breast biopsy is also performed when the patient or physician strongly prefers a non-surgical method of assessing a breast abnormality.

What to do to prepare for your biopsy:

You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothes and to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.

Women should always inform their physician if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Some procedures using image-guidance are typically not performed during pregnancy because radiation can be harmful to the fetus.

You should not wear deodorant, powder, lotion or perfume under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam.

Prior to a needle biopsy, you should report to your doctor all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to anesthesia. Your physician will advise you to stop taking aspirin or a blood thinner three days before your procedure.

Also, inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.

You may want to have a relative or friend accompany you and drive you home afterward. This is recommended if you have been sedated.

Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

CVMC utilizes Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system, which is a digitized mammographic image that can be obtained from either a conventional film mammogram or a digitally acquired mammogram. The computer software then searches for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer. The CAD system highlights these areas on the images, alerting the radiologist to the need for further analysis.

Mammograms are used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms and to detect and diagnose breast disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge. There are different types of mammograms:

Screening Mammography

Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) adds that women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening.

Diagnostic Mammography

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings such as a breast lump or lumps that have been found by the woman or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to evaluate the area of concern on the screening exam.

What to do to prepare for your mammogram:

• It is preferable that you schedule your mammogram during the first 10 days following your menstrual period when your breasts are least tender.
• Use no deodorant or dusting powder.
• Bring old mammogram films, if possible.

Q. What is the vein ablation treatment?
A. This minimally-invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up the greater saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside of the vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed. Reflux within the greater saphenous vein leads to pooling in the visible varicose veins below. By closing the greater saphenous vein, the twisted and varicosed branch veins, which are close to the skin, shrink and improve in appearance. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg, re-establishing normal flow.

Q. What are the benefits of vein ablation?
A. The treatment takes less than an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms. You can return to normal activity immediately with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the counter pain relievers. There is no scar, because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip. Traditionally, surgical ligation or vein stripping was the treatment for varicose veins, but these procedures can be quite painful and often have a long recovery time. In addition, there are high rates of recurrence with the surgical procedures, on average 10 – 25 percent.

Q. How successful is the vein ablation?
A. The two-year data show a 93-95% success rate. This is a much higher efficacy rate than surgical ligation or stripping.

Q. Are there other treatments for varicose veins?
A. Ambulatory phlebectomy and injection sclerotherapy are also used. Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally-invasive surgical technique used to treat varicose veins that are not caused by saphenous vein reflux. The abnormal vein is removed through a tiny incision or incisions using a special set of tools. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, and typically takes under an hour. Recovery is rapid, and most patients do not need to interrupt regular activity after ambulatory phlebectomy. Injection sclerotherapy can also be used to treat some varicose and nearly all spider veins. An extremely fine needle is used to inject the vein with a solution which shrinks the vein.

Echocardiography (EK-o-kar-de-OG-ra-fee) is a painless test that uses sound waves to create images of your heart. It provides your doctor with information about the size and shape of your heart and how well your heart’s chambers and valves are working.
The test also can identify areas of heart muscle that aren’t contracting normally due to poor blood flow or injury from previous heart attack(s). Echocardiography can detect possible blood clots inside the heart, fluid buildup in the sac around the heart (pericardium), and problems with the aorta (the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood out of the heart).

Your doctor may recommend echocardiography if you’re suffering from signs and symptoms of heart problems. For example, symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in the legs can be due to weakness of the heart (heart failure), which can be seen on an echocardiogram.
Doctors also use echocardiography to provide information on:
• The size of your heart. An enlarged heart can be the result of high blood pressure, leaky heart valves, or heart failure.
• Heart muscles that are weak and aren’t moving (pumping) properly. Weakened areas of heart muscle can be due to damage from a heart attack. Or weakening could mean that the area isn’t getting enough blood supply, which can be due to coronary artery disease.
• Problems with your heart’s valves. Echocardiography can show whether any of the valves of your heart don’t open normally or don’t form a complete seal when closed.
• Abnormalities in the structure of your heart. Echocardiography can detect a variety of heart abnormalities, such as a hole in the septum (the wall that separates the two chambers on the left side of the heart from the two chambers on the right side) and other congenital heart defects (structural problems present at birth).
• The aorta. Echocardiography is commonly used to assess and detect problems with the aorta such as aneurysm (abnormal bulge or “ballooning” in the wall of an artery).
• Blood clots or tumors. If you have had a stroke, echocardiography might be done to check for blood clots or tumors that may have caused it.

What to expect:

Echocardiography is painless and usually takes less than an hour to perform. For some tests, the doctor will need to inject saline or a special dye into your vein that makes your heart show up more clearly on the test images. This special dye is different from the dye used during an angiogram test.
For most types of echocardiography, you will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up. Women will be given a gown to wear during the procedure. You will lay on your back or left side on an exam table or stretcher.
EKG electrodes will be attached to your chest to allow an EKG to be done. A doctor or sonographer (a person specially trained to do ultrasounds) will apply a gel to your chest that helps the sound waves reach your heart. A wand-like device called a transducer will then be moved around on your chest.
The transducer transmits ultrasound waves into your chest. Echoes from the sound waves will be converted into pictures of your heart on a computer screen. During the test, the lights in the room are dimmed so the computer screen is easier to see.
The sonographer will make several recordings of the images to show different locations in your heart. The recordings will be put on a computer disc or videotape for the cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in treating people who have heart problems) to review.
During the test, you may be asked to change positions or hold your breath for a short time so that the sonographer can get good pictures of your heart. At times, the sonographer may apply a bit of pressure to your chest with the transducer. This pressure can be a little uncomfortable, but it helps the sonographer get the best picture of your heart. You should let him or her know if you feel too uncomfortable.

How to prepare for an echocardiogram:

No special preparation is necessary. We recommend you refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages for 12 hours prior to your exam.