The average test takes about 30 minutes. Sometimes, an ultrasonic contrast agent is injected intravenously to enhance the quality of the sound wave pictures and give additional information about the amount of blood flow to the heart muscle. Ultrasonic contrast agents are solutions of microbubbles. The surface of the bubble is made out of a human protein called albumin. An inert gas is enclosed within.
Side effects are rare, brief and quite mild.
No patient preparation is required for an echocardiogram. The test can be done anywhere, at any time. Doctors obtain a wealth of valuable information about the heart from this test at no risk to the patient and without causing any undue discomfort. Because of its ease, value and safety, the numbers of echo exams of the heart done in the U.S. is increasing every year. The sizes of the 4 chambers of the heart.