Echocardiography, also called a cardiac echo or echo, is a sonogram of the heart. Echocardiography uses two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to create images of the heart.

There are several types of echocardiography.

**Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)**  
This test uses ultrasound to make detailed images of the heart and the arteries leading to and from it. Unlike TTE, TEE requires a thin tube that passes through the mouth, down the throat and into the esophagus to obtain the clearest of images. A sedative is typically administered to keep the patient calm. TEE is commonly used to detect any abnormal tissue, blood clots, or how well the heart is pumping.

**Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)**  
Transthoracic echocardiography, also called a “cardiac echo,” is a sonogram (ultrasound) of the heart. This technique uses ultrasound waves to create images and movies of the heart while it is contracting. Echocardiography uses two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to create detailed images that allow for the evaluation of the cardiac chambers and valves.