Transthoracic Echo
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the most commonly performed cardiac ultrasound examination. A high quality transthoracic echocardiogram can be performed quickly at the bedside and has the potential to comprehensively evaluate left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function, regional wall motion, valvular heart disease, and diseases of the pericardium.
TTE is largely standardized such that images are generally obtained from 5 separate standard transducer positions to allow the heart to be visualized in detail. These standard positions are the parasternal position (which has both long axis and short axis views), apical position , subcostal position and the suprasternal notch position. Click on the sections to learn more.