Transthoracic echocardiogram
A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is the most common type of echocardiogram, which is a still or moving image of the internal parts of the heart using ultrasound.
An echocardiogram can help to diagnose and to monitor certain heart conditions by checking the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analysing how blood flows through them and assessing the pumping chambers of the heart.
The transthoracic echocardiogram has no contraindications.
The transthoracic echocardiogram has no risks.
The execution of this exam does not include preparation rules.
During the procedure, an echo probe (a transducer) sends out sound waves.
When the transducer is placed on the chest at certain locations and angles, the sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the heart tissues, where the waves bounce or "echo" off of the heart structures.
These sound waves are sent to a computer that can create moving images of the heart walls and valves.