A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a common, non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart. It allows healthcare providers to visualize the heart’s internal structures and observe its function in real time. TTE provides a comprehensive assessment of cardiac health.
Why a Transthoracic Echo is Performed
A transthoracic echocardiogram is performed to assess heart health and diagnose conditions. Healthcare providers often order a TTE to evaluate how well the heart is pumping blood, a key indicator of overall cardiac function. This can identify issues like heart failure, where the heart muscle may be weakened.
The test identifies structural abnormalities within the heart. It can reveal problems with the heart valves, such as narrowing (stenosis) or leakage (regurgitation), which disrupt normal blood flow. A TTE can also detect issues with the size and shape of the heart’s chambers, or the thickness and movement of its walls. It can also help detect blood clots within the heart chambers.
Patients experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart murmur may undergo a TTE to determine if these symptoms are related to heart issues. It can help differentiate between harmless murmurs and those indicating valve problems or other heart disorders. The test also plays a role in monitoring known heart conditions, evaluating the heart after a heart attack, or assessing heart health before and after certain treatments or surgeries.
How a Transthoracic Echo is Performed
The transthoracic echocardiogram procedure is straightforward and causes minimal discomfort. Patients typically lie on an exam table, often on their left side for optimal imaging of the heart. Small adhesive patches, called electrodes, are placed on the chest to monitor the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm throughout the test.
A sonographer, a technician trained in ultrasound technology, performs the test. They apply a special gel to the patient’s chest to transmit sound waves and ensure clearer images. The sonographer then presses a handheld device called a transducer firmly against the skin, moving it across different areas of the chest. This transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that travel through the skin and tissues, bounce off the heart structures, and return as echoes to the transducer.
These echoes are then converted by a computer into live, moving images of the heart. During the procedure, the sonographer may ask the patient to hold their breath or change positions to capture different views of the heart. The entire test takes between 30 to 90 minutes.
What a Transthoracic Echo Reveals
A transthoracic echocardiogram provides insights into heart structure and function. The images allow examination of the heart’s four chambers, assessing their size, shape, and the thickness of their walls. This helps identify conditions where the heart muscle may be abnormally thick or weak, such as in certain cardiomyopathies.
The test also provides information about the heart valves, which regulate blood flow between the chambers. It can reveal if the valves are opening and closing correctly, or if there is any narrowing (stenosis) or backward leakage of blood (regurgitation). Doppler ultrasound, a component of TTE, measures the speed and direction of blood flow through the heart and its vessels, helping to detect abnormal flow patterns.
A TTE assesses the strength of the heart muscle’s contractions, often measured as an ejection fraction, which indicates the percentage of blood pumped out with each beat. This measurement is important for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure. The test can also detect fluid accumulation around the heart, known as pericardial effusion, or identify growths and blood clots within the heart chambers. These insights help healthcare providers make accurate diagnoses and formulate treatment plans.
Preparing For and Following the Test
Preparation for a transthoracic echocardiogram is minimal, as it is a non-invasive procedure. Patients do not need to fast and can eat, drink, and take their regular medications before the test. Wear a two-piece outfit or loose-fitting clothing, as you may change into a hospital gown.
After the test, patients can resume normal daily activities immediately. The images captured during the echocardiogram are reviewed by a cardiologist. Preliminary results might be provided immediately, but a detailed report typically takes a couple of days to be finalized. The results are then communicated to the patient and their referring physician, who will explain the findings and discuss any necessary next steps.