Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Mayo Cardiovascular Ultrasound Imaging and Hemodynamic Laboratory

Established in 1981, the Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Laboratory (Echo Lab) is one of the largest clinical, educational and research echocardiographic laboratory facilities of its kind in the world. Outpatient and inpatient echocardiography studies are routinely performed in the lab using state-of-the-art equipment.

The Echo Lab is also referred to as the Cardiovascular Ultrasound Imaging and Hemodynamic Laboratory. The lab provides a comprehensive assessment of heart structure and function, as well as normal and abnormal blood flow within the heart.

An echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to produce detailed images of the heart's size, structure and motion. An echocardiogram may also be used to measure the heart's blood volume and the speed and direction of blood flow through the heart.

The experienced team of cardiologists in the laboratory provides patients with the highest quality of care. The team performs more than 50,000 comprehensive patient examinations each year using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. More than 200 tests are performed each day. Transthoracic, transesophageal, exercise and dobutamine stress, as well as intraoperative echocardiograms, are the tests most often performed in the laboratory.

Physician staff