Echocardiograms Reveal Extent of Damage

Echocardiograms ("echos") are ultrasound tests that use sound waves to take a moving picture of the heart. An echocardiogram can reveal the size and shape of the heart, its pumping strength, and assess the location and extent of damage to heart tissues. Additionally, an echocardiogram can evaluate the heart for valvular problems such as regurgitation (leaky valve) or stenosis (tight valve that does not open properly).

The Froedtert & the Medial College of Wisconsin Echocardiography Laboratories perform thousands of echo procedures each year. We are accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), a national accreditation agency that requires rigorous standards for performance and interpretation of echocardiograms.

Echocardiogram tests performed in the lab include:

Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)

In this common procedure, an ultrasound transducer that emits sound waves is placed on the chest in the area of the heart. The transducer picks up the echoes of sound waves and transmits them as electrical impulses to a machine that converts the impulses into images of the heart.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

This test is performed with sedation and involves placing a thin tube with an ultrasound probe on the end into the esophagus. The technique places the ultrasound probe closer to the heart and provides greater detail. When needed, our team can also utilize 3D transesophageal echocardiograms to diagnose heart problems.

Intracardiac Echocardiogram (ICE)

This test is conducted during procedures in the heart catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories. The test provides unique ultrasound images from inside the heart.

Echocardiogram Stress Tests (Stress Echo)

A stress echo helps determine how the heart functions under stress. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. This test can also be used to further evaluate diseases of the heart valves or abnormal pressures inside the heart or lungs. Stress tests may be done on a treadmill, a supine bicycle (the patient pedals while lying in bed), or with the use of a medication that stimulates the heart to pump faster, simulating exercise.

3D Echocardiogram

This technique provides a three-dimensional (3D) echo picture of a beating heart. The Echo Lab at Froedtert Hospital has the longest clinical experience in the state using real-time, 3D echocardiography.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Evaluation

This procedure uses echocardiography to measure the level of asynchrony (lack of synchronization) in the heart and determine a patient’s eligibility for a specialized pacemaker to correct the problem.

Strain Echocardiogram

This procedure allows physicians to identify the performance of each segment of the heart separately, which gives physicians a much more accurate indication of heart damage caused by cancer therapy or other substances.

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Our Cardiovascular Program continues to receive recognition as one of the top programs nationally. We are honored to provide high-quality, effective care for even the most high-risk patients.

  • The Froedtert & MCW health network has built a reputation for clinical excellence and our research draws patients from around the world. Our Heart & Vascular program recognitions include:

    • Premier recognized Froedtert Hospital in 2025 as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals® according to its independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard. The hospitals recognized in the top 50 operated at lower cost and had better outcomes, recording significantly higher inpatient survival rates, fewer patients with complications, lower readmission rates and up to nearly $7,000 less in total costs per patient case. Froedtert Hospital was ranked in the category of top teaching hospitals with a cardiovascular residency program. No other hospital in Wisconsin was recognized with this national distinction.
    • The International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS) recognizes our Cardio-Oncology Program as a gold level Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence in 2025. ICOS certification is awarded to institutions and practices that demonstrate superior expertise in the care of patients who have heart disease, are at high risk or experience heart complications with cancer treatment. The ICOS awards bronze, silver and gold certification. Of the two ICOS-certified programs in Wisconsin, we are the only one that meets the stringent requirements needed to be recognized as a gold level Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence.
    • Healthgrades recognized Froedtert Hospital in its 2024 Specialty Excellence Awards, including one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention, as well as other specialty achievements in various areas.
    • Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Froedtert Hospital within its 2024 list of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs. Hospitals featured on this list are renowned for delivering superior heart and vascular care that results in high-quality outcomes. As part of a health network that includes eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center, our heart and vascular specialists treat a high volume of patients with a wide variety of heart diseases.
    • The Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI) recognized Froedert Hospital as a Carotid Care Quality Champion by the SVS VQI‘s clinical registry recognition program in 2024. The VQI recognizes select centers across the country as Carotid Care Quality Champions for their dedication to improving the safety and effectiveness of vascular care through participation and engagement in VQI’s carotid artery stenting and/or carotid endarterectomy registries.
    • The American Heart Association recognized Froedtert Hospital with the following awards that show our commitment to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks.
      • Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus Award
      • Get With the Guidelines® — Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes
      • Get With the Guidelines® — Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes
      • Get With the Guidelines® AFib Gold Award
      • In addition, the hospital was recognized on the AHA’s Target: Heart Failure(SM) Honor Roll and received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ award.

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