Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with intraventricular and interventricular dyssynchrony analysis
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.
Cardiac dyssynchrony is an anomaly in the timing of electrical activation and/or contraction of the atrial and/or ventricular myocardium that can have adverse consequences on cardiac mechanics and hemodynamics.
Dyssynchrony can be corrected through cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
In this context, echocardiography can provide additional improvement in selection of patients responsive to CRT and can help in CRT optimization.
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.