From the Guidelines
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) is a crucial diagnostic tool in evaluating the relationship between cardiac structure and function and dizziness, particularly in patients with suspected cardiac etiology of syncope or presyncope. In patients experiencing dizziness, a thorough assessment of cardiac structure and function using TTE can help identify potential cardiac causes, such as cardiomyopathies, valvular disease, pericardial disease, and tumors, as supported by the study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology in 2021 1. The use of TTE in this context is validated by multiple studies and supported by numerous societies, highlighting its importance in evaluating patients with abnormal ECG or findings on history or physical examination suggesting a cardiac etiology of syncope or presyncope 1. Some key points to consider when using TTE to evaluate dizziness include:
- Assessing for structural heart disease
- Identifying risk factors for malignant arrhythmias
- Evaluating cardiac function and structure
- Considering other potential causes of dizziness, such as inner ear disorders or neurological conditions. It is essential to note that TTE is a non-invasive assessment that provides valuable information on cardiac structure and function, making it a vital tool in the diagnostic workup of patients with dizziness, as recommended by the study published in 2021 1.
From the Research
Relationship Between Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) and Dizziness
There are no direct research papers that establish a relationship between Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) and dizziness. However, we can explore the potential indirect connections:
- TTE is used to evaluate cardiac disease and function, which can be related to symptoms such as dizziness if cardiac issues are present 2, 3.
- Cardiac causes of shock, which can be identified using TTE, may also be associated with dizziness 4.
- TTE can help identify valvular heart disease, which may be related to symptoms such as dizziness in some cases 5, 6.
- The appropriateness of TTE examinations and their findings can vary depending on the specific disease subset, including heart failure and valvular heart disease, which may be related to dizziness 6.
Limitations of TTE
Some limitations of TTE include:
- Potential blind spots, such as pericardial disease, aortic dissections, and left ventricular apical lesions 2, 3.
- Limited visualization of certain cardiac structures, such as the left atrial appendage and coronary arteries 3.
- May not be suitable for all patients, such as those with relative contraindications to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) 4.