what is an echo in medical terms
Echocardiogram. Guide. An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-pitched sound waves that are sent through a device called a transducer. The device picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the different parts of your heart. These echoes are turned into moving pictures of your heart that can be seen on a video screen. The different types of echocardiograms are: 1  Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).