A TTE ordered by a neurologist is best at identifying:

A Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) is primarily used to evaluate the heart and its structures rather than directly visualizing the brain or its vasculature. However, it is particularly helpful in identifying conditions that may lead to cardioembolic strokes, such as a ventricular thrombus. A ventricular thrombus can form in patients with reduced ventricular function or arrhythmias and poses a risk of embolization, potentially leading to ischemic strokes.

In cases where there is suspicion of a cardiac source contributing to a patient’s neurological symptoms, identifying a ventricular thrombus through a TTE allows clinicians to implement appropriate anticoagulation or surgical interventions, deeply impacting patient management and outcomes.

While other options like brain tumors, cerebral aneurysms, and ischemic strokes are relevant in the context of neurological evaluations, they fall outside the scope of what a TTE can directly identify. Brain tumors and cerebral aneurysms are typically assessed through imaging modalities such as CT or MRI, which provide the neurological detail necessary for diagnosis. Similarly, ischemic strokes would be identified through neurological imaging and clinical assessments rather than through a cardiac study like TTE.