St. Luke’s has always been at the forefront of echocardiography. Our primary goal is to provide superior noninvasive echocardiography imaging and clinical interpretation for patient care. Our laboratory serves as an all-inclusive clinical, teaching, and research facility. We offer the full range of standardized and newer echocardiography techniques.

In 1997, the St. Luke’s laboratory became the first in Texas to be accredited by ICAEL, the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories. The lab was successfully re-accredited in 2000, and again in 2003.

St. Luke’s is also the unofficial home of the Greater Houston Echocardiography Society. We maintain strong ties with several neighboring academic laboratories within the Texas Medical Center.

Diagnosis

An echocardiogram, or “echo,” is a painless, portable procedure that can be performed in a physician’s office or the hospital. It can be quickly used in routine and emergency situations, as well as in outpatient appointments.

To learn more about diagnostic procedures performed in the Echocardiography Laboratory, visit the Echocardiography Lab Diagnostic page.

Treatment

According to the Texas Heart Institute Heart Information Center, no special preparation is needed before you have an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram may take up to 45 minutes to perform. You should not have any pain or discomfort during the test.

To learn more about treatment options offered in the Echocardiography Laboratory, visit the Echocardiography Lab Treatment page.

See also on this website:

• Echocardiography