Table 2. Complementary diagnostic strengths of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram.

Finding	Comparison	Difference
Left atrium and left atrial appendage
Left atrial enlargement	TEE =/> TTE	Moderate
Left atrial thrombus	TEE > TTE	Major
Spontaneous echo contrast	TEE > TTE	Major
Left atrial appendage thrombus	TEE > TTE	Major
Left atrial appendage dysfunction	TEE > TTE	Major
Mitral and aortic valves
Stenosis	TEE =/> TTE	Minimal
Prolapse	TEE =/> TTE	Minimal
Masses	TEE > TTE	Moderate
Interatrial septum
Patent foramen ovale	TEE > TTE	Moderate
Atrial septal aneurysm	TEE > TTE	Moderate
Lipomatous hypertrophy	TEE > TTE	Major
Additional findings
Left ventricle anatomy and function	TTE > TEE	Minimal
Left ventricular apex function	TTE > TEE	Major
Aortic atheroma	TEE > TTE	Major
Transpulmonary right-to-left shunt	TEE > TTE	Major

TEE, transesophageal echocardiogram; TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram.