The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has released new guidelines for performing comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) exams.
The guidelines were published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (Vol. 32:1, pp. 1-64).
The ASE said it first established recommendations for the exam in 1980. The new guidelines address changes in exam technology and performance, and they include more than 100 videos to help sonographers learn scanning maneuvers and image optimization techniques.
"Echocardiography, specifically TTE, is the most versatile imaging modality for diagnosing cardiovascular disease, and the past decade has seen its use expand into many new clinical areas," said Dr. Peter Rahko of the University of Wisconsin in a statement released by the ASE. Rahko was one of the co-chairs of the writing group that authored the guidelines.
"To ensure that patients continue to receive the best care, we felt it was essential to re-examine what constitutes a contemporary comprehensive TTE," he said.
