What is a Bubble Echocardiogram?
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A bubble echocardiogram is a procedure which is designed to give a doctor an idea of how well someone's heart is functioning. This medical test may be ordered for a patient who appears to be experiencing problems related to the physical function of the heart, such as leaky valves or an oversized heart. Very few risks are associated with a bubble echocardiogram, and the procedure is virtually painless. A patient's doctor or cardiologist will usually discuss the procedure and its possible outcomes with a patient before the bubble echocardiogram is performed.
In a traditional echocardiogram, the patient's heart is ultrasounded to create a picture of the heart, allowing medical professionals to assess the condition of the heart without the need for invasive surgery. The test is typically performed by an ultrasound technician, who may record the procedure or print out specific images which may be of interest to a physician. In a bubble echocardiogram, the echocardiogram is performed, and then a bubble of saline is injected into a vein in the arm.
As the saline moves through the heart, the ultrasound technician follows it. The saline makes certain heart functions more visible, highlighting problems in the left ventricle, the major pumping area of the heart, along with issues with the valves. The saline ultimately dissipates harmlessly into the blood, and is eventually expressed by the body along with other waste materials.
From start to finish, a bubble echocardiogram usually takes around half an hour. The patient is usually asked to remove his or her top so that a clearer image can be generated, and the procedure starts with the application of conductive gel to the area of interest. This gel helps the ultrasound machine generate a clearer picture. Some discomfort is associated with the injection of saline, but beyond that, a bubble echocardiogram should not cause pain or complications for the patient.
Having an imaging study of your heart is not something to be immediately concerned about, as results can be quite varied, and you have a number of options when it comes to responding to test results. It is important to stay relaxed and calm during such procedures, even if you are worried, to ensure that tension does not not interfere with test results. Your doctor may take a day or two to review the results of the bubble echocardiogram before discussing them with you.
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yes, you can eat and drink before the echo bubble study. - anon51112
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anon27254: The test has no pre-procedure requirements. However, the tech told me it was probably a good idea that I had skipped my morning cup of coffee. She said coffee *sometimes* makes the heart beat faster.
The tech and the doctor were pretty vague as to why I needed the bubble test.
Other than the needle-prick to insert an IV line, the only discomfort came when the tech pressed the probe between two of my ribs and later when she pressed it against the top of my belly. No big deal. - anon47190
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anon28009 - Have you been tested for syncope? The cardiologist would need to do a tilt table test to determine. That would cause fainting. It is a lack of blood flow to the brain - you need to stay hydrated. some take salt tablets, and some are put on blood pressure meds to regulate the pressure - even if you have really low pressure. Something to check into. - anon44249
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I am being scheduled for a bubble test. The Heart Echo showed an abnormality in the lower part of my heart. I get weak easily and feel heart palpitations with minor activity. I have headaches, neck pain and shoulder pain as soon as I get out of bed in the morning which is somewhat relieved with pain meds and muscle relaxers but returns within 3 hours after the meds. I hope there is a non invasive answer to this besides medications. I have heard so many people being addicted to pain meds that it worries me. I have also been diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome so I am trying to find out which ailment is causing which symptoms. - emd9112001
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My doctor has ordered a echo with bubble of the lungs. Perhaps this would show more than CT Angio. - anon30581
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I had a bubble test done, but the ultrasound was focused on my eyelids, temples and two pressure points on the back of my head. My test results were 5x5x5, too numerous to count. I was told I probably had a hole in my heart, which took me to a cardiologist and then after his test findings - no hole and no problems, I had a CT Angio to see if the hole or leakage was in the lung area, still no results. I feel faint if I get too warm. Not sure where to go or what to do next. Any suggestions are much appreciated. - anon28009
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Can you eat/drink before the test? - anon27254
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Written by
S.E. Smith
Last Modified: 03 November 2009
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