Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
Why is the doctor
performing this procedure?
To visualize a
detailed image of the heart’s movement, valves, and chambers.
What is the
procedure?
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
is an ultrasound study used to view the heart’s anatomy and function.
A transducer that emits high-frequency sound waves is placed into your
mouth and into the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth to
the stomach. This location is closer to the heart (the esophagus lies
directly behind the heart), and allows a real-time view of the heart that
has much less interference from the chest wall and lungs than routine
echocardiography.
For the test, the
patient is hooked up to several monitors, they gargle a solution that numbs
the throat (or the throat is sprayed with a numbing medicine), and they
receive a sedative intravenously. Then a tube called a transducer probe is
passed thru the mouth, into the esophagus, and the ultrasound pictures are
taken. The transducer probe is removed, and the patient rests until both
the sedative and the throat numbing medicine wear off.
Where is the
procedure performed?
Generally in the
Non-Invasive Cardiology Testing Center, or in the Intensive Care Unit if
the patient is housed there. It is often done in conjunction with
other procedures, e.g. open heart surgery, and septal
closures in the Cath Lab or Operating Room.
How long does this
procedure take?
TEE usually takes 15
- 30 minutes, with an additional hour of recovery time.
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