Cost-Effectiveness of Echocardiography after Stroke
Authors: James W. Tam
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Letters15 May 1998Cost-Effectiveness of Echocardiography after StrokeJames W. Tam, MD, FRCP(C), Normand Lazarow, MD, PhD, FRCP(C), and Kevin Wolfe, MD, FRCP(C)James W. Tam, MD, FRCP(C)University of Manitoba; Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1R9, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author, Normand Lazarow, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)University of Manitoba; Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1R9, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author, and Kevin Wolfe, MD, FRCP(C)University of Manitoba; Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1R9, CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-10-199805150-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:McNamara and colleagues [1] reported on the cost-effectiveness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and the cost advantages over transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with stroke in normal sinus rhythm. As clinical echocardiographers, we are not as willing to dismiss the role of TTE. In contrast to the 2% to 3% incidence of complications with TEE [2], TTE is not associated with significant adverse reactions. Furthermore, many patients often have a readily identifiable cause apparent on TTE (for example, left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular thrombus, mitral stenosis), and evidence suggests [3] that newer-generation TTE systems can detect left atrial ...References1. McNamara RL, Lima JA, Whelton PK, Powe NR. Echocardiographic identification of cardiovascular sources of emboli to guide clinical management of stroke: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:773-87. Google Scholar2. Tam JW, Burwash IG, Ascah KJ, Baird MG, Chan KL. Feasibility and complications of single-plane and biplane versus multiplane transesophageal imaging: a review of 2947 consecutive studies. Can J Cardiol. 1997; 13:81-4. Google Scholar3. Omran H, Jung W, Wirtz P, Schimpf R, Illien S, Luderitz B. Assessment of left atrial appendage function and detection of thrombi: a prospective study comparing transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Circulation. 1997; 96:1-134. Google Scholar4. Leung DY, Black IW, Cranney GB, Walsh WF, Crimm RA, Stewart WJ, et al. Selection of patients for transesophageal echocardiography after stroke and systemic embolic events. Role of transthoracic echocardiography. Stroke. 1995; 26:1820-4. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: James W. Tam, MD, FRCP(C); Normand Lazarow, MD, PhD, FRCP(C); Kevin Wolfe, MD, FRCP(C)Affiliations: University of Manitoba; Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1R9, Canada PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byLa ecocardiografía en el paciente con accidente cerebrovascular: un problema pendiente 15 May 1998Volume 128, Issue 10 Page: 872 Keywords Adverse reactions Algorithms Aneurysms Cardiovascular therapy Echocardiography Ischemic stroke Mitral stenosis Stroke Thrombosis Transient ischemic attacks ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 May 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...