Which of the following is a limitation of traditional echocardiography?

The correct choice highlights a well-known limitation of traditional echocardiography, specifically regarding its ability to assess small cardiac structures effectively. Traditional echocardiography often uses 2D imaging, which may not provide the resolution needed to accurately visualize and evaluate smaller anatomical details, such as the structures of the heart valves, particularly in certain patient populations like those with obesity or lung diseases.

The inability to adequately assess these smaller structures can lead to incomplete evaluations of cardiac conditions, potentially missing critical details in diagnosis and treatment planning. This limitation contrasts with advanced echocardiographic techniques such as 3D echocardiography, which offer enhanced visualization capabilities and improve the assessment of such small structures.

In comparison, traditional echocardiography does indeed provide real-time images, does not expose patients to radiation (as it uses sound waves), and does not usually require intravenous contrast for routine assessment, so these characteristics help clarify why they do not represent limitations associated with traditional echocardiography.