The echocardiography unit provides services based on innovative ultra-sound techniques. Non-invasive imaging of the heart is obtained by using different state-of-the-art instruments. Echocardiographic examinations are performed for the evaluation of both the structure and shape and the function of the heart muscle as well as the heart valve and large vessels. In urgent cases, e.g., tamponade, trauma to the aorta and aortic dissection, echocardiographic diagnosis can save lives. Transesophageal echocardiography permits high-resolution images of specific areas of the heart such as the mitral and aortic valve, left atrial appendage, both atria, the interatrial septum and large vessels. This permits a better understanding, improved diagnosis and often a more accurate treatment.

Most of the echocardiographic studies are carried out in the echocardiography clinical laboratory. Over 4500 procedures are performed each year, approximately 60% of which are for ambulatory patients, 10% consist of transesophageal diagnostics in adults, 1400 are for pediatric patients and 500 examinations are of fetal hearts in pregnant women.

For hospitalized patients, in emergency cases, the echocardiographic examination is performed in the emergency room, the trauma unit, in the operating room (to assess the necessity and success of valve repair, to diagnose pathological events causing hemodynamic instability etc.), internal medicine departments, oncology and hematology departments and in different intensive care units, e.g. cardiac intensive care, respirator, surgical and neuro-surgical units.

Echocardiography allows assessment of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion), evaluation of valve replacement and repair and ventricular function in the acute setting. Different types of echocardiographic studies include regular transthoracic, transesophageal and stress dobutamine echocardiography as well as echocardiography in children and of fetal hearts.

The medical staff consists of experienced sonographers and highly trained physicians. The entire medical staff of the unit maintains a high level of clinical and academic expertise. We are involved in local, national and international clinical trials, which ascertains a high quality clinical and research performance. Our echocardiography unit is internationally respected as a leader in the field of cardiac function assessment, valvular function and pathology of the thoracic aorta.