The transthoracic examination

During transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) the ultrasound probe is applied to multiple points on the patient's chest and images are taken of all cardiac structures from multiple tomographic planes. Whether performing an elective, complete echocardiogram, or an emergent, limited echocardiogram, it is vital to try to position the patient properly and adjust the environment around the patient to yield the best possible echocardiography windows/images. This chapter presents the steps involved in preparing the patient and the environment for echocardiography. The pertinent structures seen in the 2D TTE views are also shown. The M-mode and 2D images in echocardiography are performed with a standard cardiac imaging transducer. The chapter discusses the four manipulations possible with an echocardiogram probe: pressure on transducer, probe alignment, rotation of the probe, and tilting of the probe. Finally, the chapter describes steps involved in a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram, and lists important parts of preliminary and final reports.