Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Diagnosis and Tests

Echocardiogram

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˌekoʊˈkɑːrdiəɡræm/nounCommon term

In medicine, echocardiogram means: An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows its chambers, valves and how strongly it pumps.

In Turkish: ekokardiyografi, EKO, kalp ultrasonu

How it is used

Usually just called an 'echo'. The standard test is transthoracic (TTE, probe on the chest); a transoesophageal echo (TOE, US TEE) uses a probe passed into the food pipe. Reports give the ejection fraction and describe any valve problems.

Example sentences

  1. The echocardiogram shows an ejection fraction of 35%.

  2. We've booked you an echocardiogram to look at your heart valves.

Common collocations

  • transthoracic echocardiogram
  • request an echocardiogram
  • echocardiogram report
  • stress echocardiogram
  • murmurAn extra whooshing sound heard over the heart with a stethoscope, caused by turbulent blood flow, often through a narrow or leaking valve.
  • heart failureA long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump blood around the body as well as it should, often causing breathlessness, tiredness and swollen ankles.
  • ultrasoundA scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to make live pictures of organs, blood vessels or a baby in the womb, without using radiation.
  • ECGShort for electrocardiogram: a test that records the heart's electrical activity using small sticky pads placed on the chest, arms and legs.

More terms: Diagnosis and Tests

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.