Welcome

Queensland Echocardiography Brisbane and Rockhampton are specialist cardiac imaging clinics with a focus on clinically accurate transthoracic echocardiography.

Queensland Echocardiography is the only private imaging clinic in Queensland to specialise in both adult and paediatric transthoracic echocardiography. All studies are reported in conjunction with specialist adult and paediatric imaging cardiologists.

Queensland Echocardiography boasts the only private paediatric echocardiography service, reported in conjunction with a paediatric cardiologist, anywhere in Brisbane and now Rockhampton.

Queensland Echocardiography welcomes referrals from general practitioners as well as public and private specialty medical teams.

Imaging services

Paediatric Echocardiography:

Queensland Echocardiography Brisbane and Rockhampton specialises in the accurate paediatric echocardiographic assessment of heart structure and function. Simple murmur investigations through to complex post-surgical assessments are expertly catered for. All reports are prepared in conjunction with a specialist Paediatric Echo-Cardiologist. This is a unique service in Brisbane and now Rockhampton.

The service is available to outpatients from any referrer. This is a highly specialised private imaging service. With an appropriate referral, Medicare rebates are available. Please call 1300 299 440 to book a test and to receive payment information.

Waiting lists for paediatric echocardiography are kept to a minimum to ensure patients are seen quickly.

Queensland Echocardiography is an imaging service only. Paediatric cardiology follow-up can be arranged for any significant findings.

Adult Echocardiography:

Queensland Echocardiography Brisbane and Rockhampton specialises in the accurate adult echocardiographic assessment of heart function. Simple murmur investigations through to complex post-surgical assessments are expertly catered for. Reports are prepared in conjunction with a specialist Echo-Cardiologist.

Queensland Echocardiography also specialises in the accurate assessment of cardiac function in the cardio-oncology cohort, with speckle tracking strain imaging standard in all examinations (early cardiomyopathy screening).

The service is available to outpatients from any referrer. This is a highly specialised private imaging service. With an appropriate referral, Medicare rebates are available. Please call 1300 299 440 to book a test and to receive payment information.

Frequently asked questions

What is an echocardiogram?

Echocardiography is a safe and painless diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound-principle similar to sonar or radar) to take moving pictures of the heart. The sound waves are directed towards the heart from a small hand-held device (a transducer) that sends and receives these signals. Objects, such as the heart walls and valves, reflect part of the sound waves back to the transducer where they are used to produce pictures of the heart on a television-like screen. In this way it is possible to measure the size of each of the four chambers of the heart, to study the appearance and motion of the heart valves and to conclude how efficiently the heart muscle contracts. Measurements taken from these pictures are helpful in determining how well your heart is working, and also helps to determine whether or not there are any abnormalities present. These sound waves are also used to judge the speed, amount and direction of the blood flowing through parts of your heart and great vessels (Doppler Echocardiography). This test can be used to determine if there are any congenital heart defects, valve abnormalities or abnormalities of the pumping chambers.

You may eat and go about your normal activities unless otherwise informed. In general, the test is painless, and you will feel no discomfort. Wear a two piece out-fit as you will need to undress to the waist. This test does not require you to stop taking your regular medication, unless advised by your doctor.

The echocardiographic examination is performed and recorded by a highly trained Echocardiographer. It may take up to an hour, depending upon how easily the necessary information is obtained. The transducer must be placed directly on the chest wall or upper abdomen for the examination. You will be offered a gown or a sheet to keep warm and to minimise the area on the chest that must be exposed at any one time while the test is being performed.

During the test an electrocardiogram is recorded with small adhesive patches and harmless wires. The electrocardiogram is useful for the timing of events in the heart. On occasions more than one transducer is applied to the chest and also heart sounds or pulses may be recorded along with the echocardiogram. On occasions, the Doppler Echocardiography when activated may be noisy.

Ultrasound cannot be felt and does not hurt. There are no known harmful or proven adverse effects from cardiac ultrasound. If one is pregnant during the time an echocardiogram is performed there is no known danger to either mother or baby from this procedure. To improve the quality of the picture, a harmless, odourless and water-soluble “gel” is applied to the skin where the transducer will be placed. This may feel cool and a bit moist, but the “gel” can be wiped off at the completion of this examination. During the procedure it is normal to feel a slight pressure and/or vibration from the transducer, which is not painful.

During the examination the room lights may be dimmed to reduce any glare and better see the “TV” screen. Patients are usually asked to lie on a hospital bed or examination table. Changes in position of the body are sometimes necessary in order to get better pictures, and patients are frequently asked to change position from lying flat to lying on the left side. Ultrasound waves travel poorly through bone or lungs; therefore, breath holding can be used to keep the air-filled lungs out of the way of the ultrasound beam and allow the heart to move closer to the transducer.

Although the Echocardiographer performing this test may explain what is being seen on the television-like screen as the examination is in progress, it is essential to obtain precise measurements. If you have had previous echocardiograms, the new ones will be compared with these and a Doctor will analyse any differences. These results will be sent to your referring Doctor. You will be asked to return to see this Doctor at which time this doctor will review with you the results and final diagnosis.

Our clinics

Queensland Echocardiography Morningside – Paediatric and Adult

  • Located within
    Morningside General Practice Clinic (next to Coles)

  • Morningside Plaza,
    7-10/38 Junction Road,
    Morningside, Queensland 4170

  • Google directions

  • 1300 299 440

  • 07 3319 6613

  • info@qldecho.com.au

  • Phone hours 9am-6pm.  If phones are busy, please leave a message and we will promptly return your call.

  • Appointments can be made via our phone service on 1300 299 440.

    Alternatively use the downloadable (PDF) referral form, or the instant online referral form.

    Referrals can also be sent via medical objects (EQ4170000BP)

  • For urgent enquiries, please fill in the contact form at the bottom. Thank you.

  • In an emergency Dial 000

Queensland Echocardiography Rockhampton – Paediatric

  • Mater Misericordiae Hospital
    Cardiology and Oncology Building
    Suite 1, Level 1, Spencer Street,
    Rockhampton, Queensland 4700

  • Google directions

  • 1300 299 440

  • 07 3319 6613

  • info@qldecho.com.au

  • Phone hours 9am-6pm.  If phones are busy, please leave a message and we will promptly return your call.

  • Appointments can be made via our phone service on 1300 299 440.

    Alternatively use the downloadable (PDF) referral form, or the instant online referral form.

    Referrals can also be sent via medical objects (EQ4170000BP)

  • For urgent enquiries, please fill in the contact form at the bottom. Thank you.

  • In an emergency Dial 000

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