Transthoracic echocardiogram

A transthoracic echocardiogram will identify whether there are heart valve abnormalities or problems with wall motion resulting in emboli to the brain. 

Transesophageal echocardiogram A procedure used to generate an image of the heart using sound waves, via a probe introduced into the esophagus (rather than the traditional transthoracic view) in order to obtain a better image of the left atrium. 

A transthoracic echocardiogram can detect valve or wall motion abnormalities that are sources of emboli to the brain. 

ECHO is based on the principle of differential acoustic impedance (or tissue density) and the laws of reflection and refraction. Sound waves directed across tissues from a transducer will reflect back sound waves of different frequencies. The ability of the ultrasonic beam to penetrate chest wall structures is inversely proportional to the frequency of the signal. With transthoracic ECHO, frequencies of 2.0 to 5.0 MHz are used commonly in adults, and frequencies of 3.5 to 10.0 MHz are used in children. Serial determinations in a given patient using the same conditions and ECHO images (windows) provide the best form of internal control to allow comparisons of test results. In clinical trials, echocardiograms are read and interpreted independently by two or three clinicians to provide a means of control. 

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) will determine whether valve abnormalities or wall motion abnormalities are sources of emboli to the brain. A "bubble test" can be done to look for an intraatrial shunt indicating an atrial septal defect or a patent foramen ovale. 

It is advisable to perform a transthoracic echocardiogram monitoring to exclude bleeding in the pericardium and pulmonary embolism. In case of suspicion of a pulmonary embolism, the bene-... 

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