What are the benefits of using TTE instead of TEE for the diagnosis of valvular regurgitation, ventricular dysfunction, and elevated left and right ventricular filling pressures and pulmonary artery pressure?
TTE is believed to be superior to TEE for quantifying hemodynamic dysfunction manifested by valvular regurgitation, ventricular dysfunction, and elevated left and right ventricular filling pressures and pulmonary artery pressure. Additionally, TTE can serve as a baseline for rapid and noninvasive comparison of vegetation size, valvular insufficiency, or change in abscess cavities during the course of the patient's treatment should clinical deterioration occur. Visualization may also be enhanced by choosing TTE rather than TEE for tricuspid vegetations or abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract. However, TTE and TEE may produce false-negative results if vegetations are small or have embolized, and TEE may miss initial perivalvular abscesses, particularly when the study is performed early in the patient's illness. 