{"id":119,"date":"2020-05-25T20:54:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T20:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/cvus\/?page_id=119"},"modified":"2021-04-26T17:45:27","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T17:45:27","slug":"what-to-expect-cardiac-ultrasound","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/cvus\/for-families\/what-to-expect-cardiac-ultrasound\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect: Cardiac Ultrasound"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are located in the Echo Lab at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)<\/span>, in section 4B of the Atrium<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before the <\/span>procedure<\/span>, you will check in<\/span> at the front desk<\/span>. <\/span>After getting your height and weight measured, you will be brought into our research room. <\/span>Your research sonographer (<\/span>the <\/span>cardiac <\/span>ultrasound technician who will be performing your <\/span>test<\/span>) will <\/span>explain the procedure to ensure you understand the process and <\/span>will answer any of your questions<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

After obtaining your informed consent, y<\/span>ou will <\/span>be given a hospital gown to change into. <\/span>The sonographer will <\/span>ask<\/span> you <\/span>to <\/span>lie<\/span> flat on the<\/span> hospital bed and attach three heart rhythm<\/span> stickers to your chest<\/span>, all while ensuring you are appropriately covered<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The sonographer will start the ultrasound by applying warm ultrasound gel on top of the ultrasound camera.<\/span> Then, they will hold the camera <\/span>to your skin <\/span>on various areas of your<\/span> chest: beside your sternum, on the side of your ribs, on your stomach and around your collarbone.This will allow the camera to view your<\/span> heart from different angles<\/span>. You <\/span>may <\/span>feel <\/span>gentle <\/span>pressure from the placement <\/span>and movement <\/span>of the camera<\/span>. <\/span>The sonographer will check in with you throughout the echo, but please speak up if <\/span>there is anything you need. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Throughout the echo, you may be <\/span>l<\/span>ying<\/span> in different positions to help the sonographer<\/span> obtain <\/span>the best <\/span>image<\/span>s<\/span> your heart.<\/span> You may need to lie<\/span> on your left side, on your right side, flat on your back with a neutral head position and flat on your back with your head tilted up. Please inform the sonographer if any of these positions are challenging for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

The echo <\/span>test <\/span>usually takes around 45-60 minutes and your parent or guardian will be allowed to stay with you throughout the procedure. The only thing you will need to do is to stay as still<\/span> and relaxed<\/span> as possible \u2013 this <\/span>will <\/span>help us get the best images of your heart! <\/span>There is also a television to watch to help pass the time!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Watch Hermin<\/span> ask Amanda, a sonographer, questions about echo:<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>