Table 1.

Most common “rarely appropriate” (formerly termed “inappropriate”) indications for which transthoracic echocardiograms are performed in clinical practice according to the 2011 AUC

Lightheadedness/presyncope when there are no other symptoms or signs of cardiovascular disease Routine surveillance of ventricular function with known CAD and no change in clinical status or cardiac examination Routine preoperative evaluation of ventricular function with no symptoms or signs of cardiovascular disease Routine surveillance (<3 year) of mild valvular stenosis without a change in clinical status or cardiac examination Routine surveillance (<3 years after valve implantation) of prosthetic valve if no known or suspected valve dysfunction Suspected endocarditis in a patient with transient fever without evidence of bacteremia or new murmur Routine evaluation of systemic hypertension without symptoms or signs of heart disease Routine surveillance (<1 year) of heart failure (systolic or diastolic) when there is no change in clinical status or cardiac examination

Data from [4, 10, 12]