We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a 2D Echocardiogram?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 48,081
References
Share

A two-dimensional (2D) echocardiogram is a medical imaging study of the heart that a doctor might recommend to learn more about a heart condition or to follow up on a patient's treatment. In this study, the heart, a three-dimensional organ, is rendered in a two-dimensional picture. There are a number of approaches to echocardiography, and a patient might need several imaging studies to gather as much information possible about the condition of the heart.

One type of 2D echocardiogram provides a picture of the heart in the chest, using ultrasound waves to help the doctor determine the exact size, location and shape of the organ. It is possible to get a slice of the inside of the heart by using ultrasound imaging, to look inside the chambers and identify issues such as valve malformations. The doctor also can request an ultrasound with Doppler technology to trace the movement of blood through the chambers of the heart and the neighboring blood vessels.

Two-dimensional images tend to be more limited in nature. A skilled technician can get a clear, crisp picture of the heart with the right machinery, but the 2D echocardiogram might not provide as much information as a three-dimensional imaging study. The doctor cannot rotate or manipulate the image to look from a new angle, for example, and thus could miss issues that might be more visible on a different kind of imaging study.

When a doctor recommends a 2D echocardiogram, the patient can ask why the doctor thinks the test is advisable and what options are available. The test might be done transthoracically, by pushing an ultrasound transducer against the chest, or transesophageally, with the assistance of a transducer lowered into the trachea. The transesophageal test is more invasive but tends to yield better pictures. This can be important for a 2D echocardiogram when the doctor wants as much data as possible in the flat image.

The 2D echocardiogram does not take very long. In some cases, a doctor might be able to discuss the results right away. In others, the doctor needs to review the images before meeting with the patient and might prefer to wait for a chance to thoroughly evaluate the test results rather than speculating on what might be visible in the pictures right after the test. If a doctor does identify an issue, additional testing might help with the diagnostic process, or the doctor could move forward to diagnosis and the recommendation of treatment.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By feasting — On Feb 06, 2013

@OeKc05 – It doesn't stand for echocardiogram. ECG and EKG are the same thing, and they both stand for electrocardiogram.

An echocardiogram takes a picture of the heart, but an electrocardiogram tells the doctor about the heart's electrical issues. Someone with an irregular heartbeat or who believes he or she may have had a heart attack has an electrocardiogram for diagnosis.

I was taking part in a clinical trial a few years ago, and I had to have an electrocardiogram several times during the trial. It was quick and painless. The electrodes on me hooked to a machine that printed out my heartbeat in wavy lines on paper.

By OeKc05 — On Feb 05, 2013

Does ECG stand for echocardiogram, or is it something else? I've heard of both an ECG and an EKG, also. Are those the same thing?

By Oceana — On Feb 05, 2013

@JackWhack – Well, they don't put you completely under. I had a 2D echocardiogram procedure last year, and I was awake but sedated during it.

They gave me a sedative intravenously. This just relaxed me a lot. They also made me gargle with something that took the feeling out of my throat, and they sprayed something down there to numb it, too.

It was weird having to swallow the tube, but at least it didn't hurt. After it was over, I couldn't eat or drink for a couple of hours, because I didn't have all the feeling back in my throat and trachea yet.

I had to have someone drive me home, too. You're not supposed to drive for about twelve hours after having this sedative.

By JackWhack — On Feb 04, 2013

Wow, I would much rather have the kind where the transducer is pressed on the outside of the chest. I can't imagine having an ultrasound from the inside!

Do they at least put people under anesthesia for this? Swallowing a transducer would be very uncomfortable for a person who is alert.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-2d-echocardiogram.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.