Transthoracic echocardiographic examination (TTE)

A transthoracic echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heard. It is a test that allows to obtain images of the heart and intracardiac blood flow using ultrasound systems.

It has no risks for patients or physicians!

The aim of the test is to identify changes in the structure or functions of the heart that may be caused by any diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. In some cases transthoracic echocardiographic examination is the only test that allows to detect or exclude some cardiovascular diseases.

Its CAPABILITIES include:

• real-time assessment of anatomic and functional parameters of the heart,
• measurement of the sizes of all chambers of the heart (absolute values and size indexes),
• measurement of the left ventricular mass,
• assessment of the condition of the valves, the internal parts of the heart and the endocardium,
• assessment of the condition of the pericardium and measurement of fluid buildup in the pericardium,
• measurement of the large blood vessels,
• detection of blood clots inside the heart,
• Doppler ultrasound showing the movement of blood through the heart,
• assessment of myocardial contractility (global contractility and local contractility).

MODES:

• B-mode (brightness)
• M-mode (motion, time-motion)
• 2D mode (2D, B-real time)
• Color 2D mode (Color 2D)
• 2D-strain, speckle-tracking or feature-tracking

The specialists of the Department perform transthoracic echocardiographic examination following the international recommendations.

Transthoracic echocardiographic examination is the main diagnostic technique whose use in modern cardiology has greatly expanded. Modern echocardiogram machines can detect heart dysfunctions early, even before any symptoms occur.

For example, an echocardiogram allows a doctor to see early signs of cardiotoxicity due to chemotherapy in cancer patients in order to promptly adjust the dosage of chemotherapy agents and prescribe cardioprotective agents.

INDICATIONS:

• myocardial infarction (damage to the heart muscle), suffered earlier
• coronary artery disease
• atrial fibrillation
• acquired heart disease or congenital heart defects
• high blood pressure
• heart failure
• cardiomyopathy
• intracardiac thrombi
• heart surgeries (coronary artery bypass surgery, valve replacement, surgical treatment of postinfarction aneurysm and other aneurysms)
• symptoms of dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system if no diagnosis has yet been made
• possible heart disease if there are symptoms of an unknown cause (fast heart rate, heart dysfunction, fainting, vertigo, discomfort or pain in the chest, shortness of breath, low exercise tolerance, heart murmurs, abnormal ECG, etc.)
• any heart disease (to be monitored annually to manage the progress of a disease)
• heart function assessment before the start of systemic antineoplastic therapy
• early detection of cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapy agents

Cardiotoxicity is the occurrence of various dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system caused by antineoplastic therapies. It may occur both during and after treatment.

PEPARATION:

• no preparation necessary
• Patients are required to bring their ECG trace (electrocardiogram) with or without its interpretation; patients who have not had an ECG should get one at the Department prior to their appointment with a cardiologist.

PEPARATION:

• no preparation necessary