Echocardiography

For Members:

• What is Echocardiography?
  • Echocardiography is a simple test where ultrasound waves are used to produce an image of the heart, the heart valves, and the great vessels. It helps assess heart wall thickness and motion which provides information about any blockage or abnormalities in the heart. It is also used to assess the pumping strength of the heart.
  • Some discomfort may be felt because of ultrasound probe being held very firmly against your chest. This firmness is important to produce the clear images of your heart. Some gel will be applied on your chest at the beginning of the test.
  • The procedure can be performed in the doctor’s office, clinic or a hospital. No special preparations are required. You can eat, drink and take medications as routine.
  • During the test, you may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to hold your breath or to roll onto your left side.
  • If your echocardiogram is normal, no further testing may be needed. Most people can resume their normal daily activities after an echocardiogram.
  • If the results are concerning, you may be referred to a heart specialist (cardiologist) for further investigations.
  • Always check your policy for coverage of investigations.

• What are the Indications?
  • Check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart.
  • Check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain.
  • Detect congenital heart defects before birth (fetal echocardiogram).
  • The size and shape of your heart, and the size, thickness and movement of your heart’s walls.
  • How your heart moves.
  • The heart’s pumping strength.
  • If blood is leaking backwards through your heart valves (regurgitation).
  • If the heart valves are too narrow (stenosis).
  • If there is a tumour or infectious growth around your heart valves.

• What are the common risks/complications?
  • No risks are involved in a standard echocardiogram.

For Healthcare Providers:

Recommendations:

• All Echocardiography require approval from NEXtCARE.
• Echocardiography is not covered if done as screening if member does not have Medical Check-up benefit.
• Always submit complete evaluation of the patient which requires complete /detailed medical history of patient, clinical findings and ECG/TMT.
• Echocardiography is not covered if done as screening if member does not have Medical Check-up benefit.
• General indications include, but are not limited to:
  • Evaluation of angina
  • valuation of aortic diseases
  • valuation of aortocoronary bypass grafts
  • Evaluation of atrial fibrillation/flutter
  • Evaluation of cardiomyopathy (including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (formerly known as idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis)
  • Evaluation of congestive heart failure
  • Evaluation of dyspnea
  • Evaluation of heart murmur
  • Evaluation of prosthetic valves
  • Evaluation of pulmonary hypertension
  • Evaluation of septal defects
  • Evaluation of site of left-to-right or right-to-left shunts
  • Evaluation of valvular diseases (including mitral regurgitation and severity of valve stenosis).

References:

• https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/cardiovascular-tests-and-procedures/echocardiography?query=Echocardiography
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/echocardiogram/about/pac-20393856
• http://ncu-codefinder-dubai.tatsh.com/reference2/index.html?file=cpttab.ref&topic=CPT.CD.93308&RepId=1&countryName=UnitedArabEmirates&CodeRev=350
• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/echocardiogram-echo