Glossary

An echocardiogram (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 the heart.  These echoes are turned into moving pictures of the heart that can be seen on a video screen.

There are three types of echocardiogram:

• Transthoracic Echo (TTE).  This is the most common type.  Views of the heart are obtained by moving the transducer to different locations on your chest or abdominal wall.
• Stress Echo.  During this test, an echo is done both before and after your heart is stressed either by having you exercise or by injecting a medicine that makes your heart beat harder and faster.  A stress echo is usually done to find out if you might have decreased blood flow to your heart.
• Doppler Echo.  This test is used to look at how blood flows through the heart chambers, heart valves, and blood vessels.  The movement of the blood reflects sound waves to a transducer.  The ultrasound computer then measures the direction and speed of the blood flowing through your heart and blood vessels.

Ejection Fraction (EF) is the portion of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat.  The heart does not eject all of the blood that is in the ventricle.  Only about two-thirds of the blood is normally pumped out with each beat.  That fraction is referred to the ejection fraction.

The ejection fraction is an indicator of the heart’s health.  If the heart is diseased from a heart attack or another cardiac condition, the ejection fraction may fall, for example, to a third.  Only a third of the blood in the ventricle (half the normal two-thirds) is pumped out.

An ejection fraction in the range of 55%-70% is considered normal in a well-functioning heart.  If the ejection fraction is in the 30’s a doctor may recommend medications as well as a change in diet and exercise.

An Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) measures the heart’s electrical activity and can record abnormal heart episodes.  An EKG is usually done along with a medical history and physical examination, lab tests, and a chest X-Ray.
If you do not have an episode of irregular heart rhythm while at the doctor’s office, your doctor will probably as you to wear a portable EKG to record your heart rhythm on a continuous basis.  This is referred to by several names, including ambulatory electrocardiogram, ambulatory ECG, holter monitoring, 24-hour EKF, or cardiac event monitoring.  This will allow your heart rhythm to be recorded while you are having an episode.

Electrophysiology Study (EP Study) is a test where flexible wires are inserted into a vein, usually in the groin, and threaded into the heart.  Electrodes at the end of the wires send information about the heart’s electrical activity.  In this way, the EP study can map any abnormal electrical activity, identify the type of supraventricular tachycardia you have, and guide treatment including possibly ablating the problem area.

Often an EP study is done in conjunction with a tissue ablation.

The Emergency Room (ER) is a room in a hospital or clinic staffed and equipped to provide emergency care to persons requiring immediate medical treatment.