The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Society of Echocardiography have released Appropriateness Criteria for transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, (TTE and TEE respectively) two of the most commonly used techniques in cardiac ultrasound.

"For the very first time, we are formally addressing the appropriate use of one of the earliest and most commonly used imaging technologies," said Pamela S. Douglass, M.D., M.A.C.C., F.A.S.E, chair of the TTE/TEE Appropriateness Criteria.

The criteria are expected to guide physicians in deciding when and how often to use tests to minimize inappropriate use of TTE and TEE which can be costly and tie up resources for others who truly need TTE/TEE testing. The new standards reflect the American College of Cardiology's ongoing efforts to help standardize procedures utilized by physicians in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease.
The TTE/TEE Appropriateness Criteria can be found online at http://www.asecho.org or http://www.acc.org and will be published in print in the July 2007 issue of The Journal of the American Society of Echocardiology and the July 10, 2007 issue of The Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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