Contrast echocardiography treatment

Echocardiography is a group of procedures that use ultrasound imaging (high-frequency sound waves) to capture images of your heart in real-time.

An echocardiogram (also known as an "echo") is a procedure that allows your consultant to check the structure of your heart and surrounding blood vessels, assess the blood flow through your heart and see how well your heart muscle and valves are working.

An echocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it is performed on the outside of your body.

During a contrast echocardiogram or contrast echo, a special dye called a contrast agent is injected into your vein before the procedure. This dye makes the ultrasound images clearer and allows your consultant to see the structures and blood flow in your heart in more detail. Your consultant will normally request a contrast echo when the images from a standard echo do not provide clear or detailed enough images of your heart.

Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private contrast echocardiography treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.

This page explains what contrast echocardiography is, why you may need contrast echocardiography, and what happens during the procedure.

The cost of this procedure depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

In most cases, you will have already had a standard echocardiogram without the use of contrast dye, but your consultant would like to examine your heart in more detail using contrast echocardiography.

Your consultant may recommend a contrast echocardiogram if you have had a cardiac event such as a heart attack or have been having symptoms that may be caused by a problem with your heart.

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant cardiologist, a doctor specialising in conditions affecting the heart.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health and medical history. They will perform a physical examination. They may ask to see the results of any previous tests you have had, or they may order them on the day.

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it's where you meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will take time to get to know you, explain the procedure and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if contrast echocardiography is a suitable procedure for you based on your symptoms, and the results of any previous tests or scans.

No special preparation is needed before your contrast echocardiogram. Before your procedure, tell your consultant or a member of your healthcare team about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications including over-the-counter medicines or supplements you are taking. If you are having a dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE), your consultant may tell you to stop taking certain medicines, such as beta-blockers, before the test.

Tell your consultant if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before your procedure.

You can eat, drink and take all your usual medications as normal before your contrast echocardiogram.

Wear two-piece clothing to your appointment as you will need to remove your top half for the procedure. Leave any jewellery at home.

There are several types of contrast echocardiogram, including:

• Contrast echo using contrast medium (dye) - contrast dye is injected into a vein to make ultrasound images clearer and more detailed
• Contrast bubble study using salt water - sterile salt water mixed with air is injected into your vein. This allows your consultant to see if any bubbles cross from the right side of your heart to the left side. It is used to see if you have any holes or abnormalities at the back of your heart and is commonly performed on young people who have a stroke with no known cause.
• Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) - a stress echocardiogram measures how well your heart works under stress or exertion such as exercise. If you are unable to exercise, an injection of dobutamine is given into a vein to mimic the effects of exercise and make your heart beat faster.

During contrast echocardiogram:

• When you arrive in the department, you will meet your sonographer (the person who will perform your contrast echocardiogram). They will explain the procedure to you, including what happens during the procedure and any potential risks and complications. Please feel free to ask any questions about your procedure at this time.
• You will be taken to a private room, asked to remove your clothes from the waist up and change into a hospital gown. Leave the gown open at the front so that your sonographer can access your chest to place the ECG stickers (electrodes) for your procedure.
• Next, you will be asked to lie on an examination couch. Your sonographer will attach ECG electrodes to your chest and connect them to the echocardiogram machine to monitor your heart rate and rhythm during the procedure
• A nurse or doctor will insert a small plastic tube called a cannula into a vein in your arm
• You will normally need to lie on your left side for your contrast echocardiogram. If you cannot lie on your left side, you can have the test while lying on your back.
• Once you are in the correct position, your sonographer will apply a cold lubricating jelly to your chest. This allows the ultrasound probe (transducer) to have better contact with your skin and move more easily over your skin during the procedure.
• The room will be darkened, so that your sonographer and consultant can see the ultrasound images more clearly
• Your sonographer will move the probe over your chest to get some baseline images of your heart
• Your consultant will inject the contrast dye/ salt water/ dobutamine into the cannula in your arm. You may be given several injections into your cannula during the procedure.
• Your sonographer will take several images of your heart from different angles.
• When your consultant has sufficient images, the test will come to an end. Contrast echocardiography normally takes around 30 minutes.

Contrast echocardiography has little to no recovery time. You may need to wait in the department for a while after your procedure to check there are no adverse effects from the contrast dye.

A member of staff will let you know when you can go home. You can resume normal daily activities straight away after your contrast echocardiography.

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

Contrast echocardiography is performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require a hospital stay.

Will I be able to drive home?

You can drive yourself home from the hospital if you feel well enough after your procedure.

How soon can I go back to work?

You can return to work as soon as you feel able after your contrast echocardiogram.

How soon can I drive?

As long as you feel well enough, you can drive straight away after your contrast echocardiogram.

When will I be back to normal?

Most people are back to normal and able to resume daily activities straight away after a contrast echocardiogram.

After your contrast echocardiogram, you will receive a follow-up appointment for you to get your results. If you haven't received an appointment within a few days, please contact the hospital.

A contrast echocardiogram is a very safe procedure with a low risk of complications, but in rare cases, complications can occur.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of a contrast echocardiogram before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. Being as well-informed as possible about any potential side effects or complications will allow you to make an informed decision.

Possible complications of contrast echocardiogram include:

• Reaction to the contrast dye - a mild reaction to the contrast medium (such as flushing, back pain, nausea or vomiting) occurs in around one in every 400 people
• Anaphylactic reaction - severe allergic reaction to the contrast medium affects less than one person in every 10,000 
• Bruising, bleeding or swelling at the cannula site

Possible risks and complications of dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) include:

• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Very high blood pressure
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Extreme tiredness
• Heart attack (rare)

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about contrast echocardiography treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in October 2024. Next review due October 2027.

Contrast echocardiography: current status and future directions BMJ

Contrast Echocardiogram (echo) NHS North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Contrast Echocardiography PubMed

A Practical Approach to Contrast Echocardiography American College of Cardiology

Contrast Echocardiography Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust