Highlights the walls of the heart when they are not easily visualized. This test is not routine with echocardiograms. A contrast echo will be specifically ordered by a physician in addition to the regular echo.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT: An IV will be started and contrast will slowly be pushed through. Patients are asked to remove their clothes from the waist up and cover themselves with a gown. A small amount of warm gel is applied as a probe moves over the chest to produce images of the heart. The contrast highlights the heart for approximately two minutes while images are taken. The contrast is then flushed through the system with saline.  This test lasts approximately 45 minutes.