The high-quality services of our Echocardiography Lab reflect our dedication to incorporating top-tier technology and skill in your care.

• Our Lab meets the strict standards of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), adhering to published standards and demonstrating our commitment to delivering quality patient care.
• We use the latest imaging technologies such as 3D echocardiography and strain imaging, for an exact and complete review of your heart’s structure and how your heart is working.
• We use advanced methods that are crucial to providing accurate diagnoses and monitoring that form the basis of your treatment plan.

At UHealth, you will receive a forward-thinking approach to your cardiac and vascular health. Our program combines the  convenience of getting care locally with the wide-ranging offerings of academic medicine.

Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, MD, PhD

Professor and Chief
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Mehrdad Ghahramani, MD, FACC

Director of Echocardiography
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (or echo) requires no radiation. Instead, it uses high-frequency sound waves to generate moving images. These images allow us to see your heart chamber and valves – and how they function.

Other names for an echocardiogram are:

• Heart ultrasound
• Heart sonogram

An echocardiogram is different from an electrocardiogram (or EKG). Here's how:

• An echocardiogram shows pictures of your heart and how it functions.
• An EKG shows your heart’s electrical activity with a series of lines on a graph.

Why would I need an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram can help diagnose and treat different heart conditions, such as:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Blood clots
• Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle problems)
• Congenital heart disease (present at birth)
• Heart failure
• Heart infection
• Heart rhythm issues
• Heart valve problems
• Peripheral artery disease

Your doctor may also recommend an echocardiogram to see how heart treatments are working or assess possible heart disease symptoms such as:

• Abnormal blood pressure
• Heart murmur
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen legs

What are the echocardiogram methods?

We use different echo imaging methods, depending on your needs. These may include:

• Two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography. This is the most common approach. It shows a cross-sectional “slice” of your heart, including your heart walls, valves, and blood vessels.
• Three-dimensional (3-D) echocardiography. This approach offers more views than standard 2-D imaging and may help assess certain conditions more accurately.
• Doppler ultrasound. This tells us about the speed and direction of your blood flow.
• Color Doppler ultrasound. This Doppler test uses color to show the direction of your blood flow.
• Strain imaging. This can provide better views of heart muscle movement. It can help support earlier detection of certain conditions like heart failure.
• Interventional or structural echocardiography. This uses echo imaging to help guide cardiac procedures – such as valve replacements – for more precise care.

What are the risks of an echocardiogram?

Echocardiograms require no radiation, and the sound waves they use are harmless. Still, they can have some potential side effects and risks.

Our team will talk with you about this before your procedure. For example:

• If you have contrast dye, there is a small risk of an allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions are very rare.
• Although rare, medicine given during a stress echo may result in serious complications such as a heart attack.
• If you have a transesophageal echocardiogram, you may experience issues such as a temporary sore throat following your procedure. Also, other potentially more serious complications can happen. Before a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will explain the process and its risks and benefits. You’ll need to sign a consent form. This is an ideal time to ask any questions.

The mission of the Echocardiography Laboratory at the University of Miami Health System is to excel in providing state-of-the-art echocardiographic diagnostics, infused with a deep commitment to exceptional patient care. As an academic medical center, we aim to enhance patient outcomes through advanced technology, foster innovation, and educate future leaders in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Meet the Team