The next seven minutes could save your life. Home | Why We Do This | Health Library | Find a Doctor | Contact Conditions Procedures Ablation Pacemakers Atherectomy Valvuloplasty Carotid Stents Septal Closures Coil Embolization Coronary Stents Peripheral Stents Medicated Stents IVC Umbrella Placement Thrombolytic Treatment Angiojet Thrombectomy Intraaortic Balloon Pump Coronary Catheterization Radiation Brachytheraphy Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty MID-CAB Bypass Surgery Thoracic Endograph Heart Transplantation Valve Repair Surgery Abdominal Endograph Valve Replacement Surgery Carotid Endarterectomy Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Transmyocardial Revascularization Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Tilt Table MRI/MRA Aortagram Stress Test Event Recorder Ross Procedure Maze Procedure Holter Monitoring Myocardial Biopsy Nuclear Stress Test Stress Echocardiogram Electrophysiology Pulmonary Angiography Intracardiac Ultrasound Dobutamine Stress Echo Intravascular Ultrasound Echocardiography Electrocardiogram Coronary Balloon Angioplasty Peripheral Vascular Angiography Transesophageal Echocardiogram Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram Computed Axial Tomography Prevention Intracardiac Ultrasound (ICE) Why is the doctor performing this test? To view the inner lining of the heart, including the heart valves. Intracardiac Ultrasound allows detailed evaluation of the inner surface of the heart and valves to determine if there is abnormal anatomy, vegetation (infection), or any abnormalities of the inner lining of the heart. Sometimes Intracardiac Ultrasound is used during other cardiovascular procedures (such as Pulmonary Vein Ablation or Atrial Septal Closures) to provide constant monitoring of the heart structures and pulmonary blood flow throughout the procedure. What is the test? Intracardiac Ultrasound is an invasive diagnostic test using a catheter with a sound transducer (or sound probe) on the end. The catheter is threaded thru the vein in the groin and up into the heart. High-frequency sound waves are used to create precise images of the interior heart surface. The catheter with the ultrasound tip attached is carefully removed, and then pressure is applied over the groin area to stop any bleeding. Where is the test performed? In the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. How long does this test take? Intracardiac Ultrasound usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. A community service provided by: Colorado Springs, CO 2008-2012, Copyright, Memorial Health System |  Site Map