We provide diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases as follows:
A transthoracic echocardiogram, also known as a TTE, is an ultrasound of the heart. It is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart. The test helps healthcare providers see your heart, its four chambers, the four heart valves, and nearby blood vessels.
TTEs are useful for evaluation of:
How is a TTE done?
During a TTE, you will lie on your back on a table with your shirt or blouse off. The technician will place a small, transducer on your chest. The transducer will send ultrasound waves through your chest to your heart. The sound waves will bounce off of your heart and back to the transducer. The transducer will convert the sound waves into images of your heart.
The images will be displayed on a monitor so that the technician can see them. The technician may ask you to move into different positions so that they can get different views of your heart.
What to expect before, during, and after a TTE
Before the test:
You will be asked to remove all or most of your clothing and put on a gown.
The technician will explain the test to you and answer any questions you have.
During the test:
You will lie on your back on a table with your shirt off.
The technician will place a small, transducer on your chest.
The technician may ask you to move into different positions so that they can get different views of your heart.
Sometimes an intravenous cannula may need to be inserted into the vein of your hand to facilitate a bubble study to evaluate for shunts.
The test usually takes about 30-45 minutes.
After the test:
You can go back to your usual activities right away.
The images of your heart will then be reviewed by your doctor and the results explained to you.
Risks of a TTE
A TTE is a very safe test. It allows non-invasive visualisation of the function and structures of the heart without exposure to harmful radiation.
Talk to your doctor about whether a TTE is right for you.