| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the results of 1093 transesophageal (TEE) and transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) studies made in patients with various cardiovascular diseases in December 1989 to November 1996. The investigation was undertaken to define indications for TEE. Undoubtedly, TEE has some advantages over TTE in diagnosing abnormalities of the descending aorta, thromboses of the left atrium, small vegetations of cardiac valves, insignificant atrial septal defects and in evaluating excursions and systolic thickening of middle and basal segments of the left ventricular anterior wall. However, detection of thrombosis of the left ventricular apex remains to be priority in TTE. TEE was found to supplement TTE and considerably improves the diagnostic quality in cardiovascular diseases. |
