An echocardiogram or trans thoracic echo (TTE) uses ultrasound waves to build up a detailed picture of the heart. (A similar procedure is used for ultrasound scanning of pregnant women.) People with aortic dilation may have regular echocardiograms to monitor their aorta.
Dimensional data obtained from TTE measurements is variable and should not be compared with dimensional data obtained by other imaging modalities such as CT or MRI.