Assess the function of the heart and the valves, cavities and pericardium (the envelope surrounding the heart).
Approximately 1 hour.
None.
For this exam, patients lie down on their left side and then on their back. A medical imaging technologist takes different ultrasound images of the heart by placing a probe (a small hand-held device) that is connected to the ultrasound machine on various areas of the chest. This exam is not painful.
No side effects.
Patients will be followed by their treating physician.