Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is particularly effective for evaluating atrial septal defects (ASDs) due to its ability to provide detailed images of the heart's structures, especially those located in the mid to posterior thorax. With TEE, the ultrasound probe is positioned directly in the esophagus, which allows for higher resolution imaging of the interatrial septum compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). This proximity reduces interference from lung tissue and bones, which can obscure the view in TTE, leading to a clearer assessment of the defect's size and location, as well as potential associated anomalies.

Furthermore, TEE can accurately identify smaller defects that may be missed with TTE. The comprehensive visualization provided by TEE makes it possible to evaluate the hemodynamic consequences of the ASD, as it allows for Doppler assessment of shunting across the septum and assessment of right atrial and right ventricular volumes, which can change due to the volume overload caused by the defect.

In this context, while transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional echocardiography have their respective uses in cardiac evaluation, they may not offer the same level of detail needed for this specific defect. Stress echoc