Tissue Doppler Imaging, or TDI, is a special type of ultrasound test that we use to take a closer look at how the patient’s heart muscle is working. It’s similar to a regular echocardiogram, but it gives us more detailed information about the movement of the heart’s muscle tissues. This helps us understand how well the heart is functioning, especially when it’s pumping blood.

When the patient comes in for the test, they’ll be taken to an exam room where the test will be done. The patient will need to remove their shirt so we can access the chest, but we’ll provide a gown or blanket to keep them comfortable.
There’s no special preparation needed for TDI. It’s non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t involve any needles or anything painful.
We’ll put a small amount of warm gel on the patient’s chest. This gel helps the ultrasound probe move smoothly over the skin and ensures we get clear images of the heart.
The technician or doctor will use the ultrasound probe, just like in a regular echocardiogram. However, with TDI, the machine is set to specifically measure the speed and movement of the heart muscle itself, not just the blood flow.
The probe will be gently moved around on the patient’s chest to capture images from different angles. The patient’s might be asked to change positions or take a deep breath to help us get the best possible views.
The test is completely painless and takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
TDI helps us measure how quickly the heart muscle is moving during each heartbeat. This is important because it tells us how well the heart is relaxing and contracting. We use this information to see if there are any problems with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
This test is especially helpful if we’re concerned about heart function issues like diastolic dysfunction, where the heart doesn’t relax properly between beats.
Once the test is done, we’ll clean off the gel, and the patient can get dressed. There are no side effects, so they can go back to their regular activities right away.
The images and data collected during the test will be analyzed by a specialist. We’ll then discuss the results with you and explain what they mean for the patient’s heart health.
TDI is a valuable tool that gives us detailed information about the patient’s heart muscle that we can’t get from a regular echocardiogram. It helps us detect early signs of heart problems and make more accurate diagnoses, which is important for planning the best treatment.
It’s a safe, painless, and non-invasive procedure that gives us crucial insights into how well the patient’s heart is working. We’ll ensure the patient’s is comfortable throughout the test, and we’re here to answer any questions you have.”