Transthoracic echocardiogram
Find a heart specialistGetting a transthoracic echocardiogram, or TTE, gives your doctor a good view of your overall heart health including seeing how your heart beats and checking for any heart issues.
When you get a TTE at an Aurora Health Care location, you’ll have access to advanced 4-D imaging – moving images added to 3-D technology. Better images mean more accurate diagnoses and less need for further testing.
What is a TTE test?
TTE test for the heart is the most common type of echocardiogram we do for people with heart conditions.
Transthoracic means on the chest wall. An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound test of the heart.
During a transthoracic echo, we use sound waves to create computerized outlines of your heart and its attached blood vessels. Your doctor can then check your heart’s chambers, valves and blood vessels for abnormalities and for any extra fluid building up around your heart.
We’ll schedule your TTE test as quickly as possible. You don’t need to do anything to prepare for this test.
The TTE procedure takes about an hour. Our experienced technicians and staff will check your comfort level and explain testing procedures throughout the TTE process.
For your exam, we’ll attach electrodes to your chest so we can monitor your heart rate and your heart’s electrical activity.
You’ll lie down on an exam table. Your cardiac sonographer (ultrasound expert) obtains images by applying a special gel to your chest, then moving an ultrasound wand gently over your heart area. These images are transferred to a computer screen for your doctor to review.
The cardiac sonographer may have you move into different physical positions and give you special breathing instructions to get the best possible images of your heart and related structures.
There are no significant side effects to this minimally invasive test.
We’ll send your TTE results to your doctor usually within 24 hours. Your doctor will follow up with you to discuss the test outcome and recommend further testing or a treatment plan as needed. If further images of your heart are needed or certain structures need to be explored in greater detail, your doctor may order a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) for you.
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