TEE (Transesophageal Echo)

Transesophageal echocardiography is also referred to as a TEE and is used to see pictures of the heart. High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are used to examine the heart and arteries leading to and away from it.

Instead of using a transducer and sound waves with a standard echocardiogram, a TEE is obtained with a very thin tube passed through the mouth, throat, and esophagus. The esophagus is extremely close to the upper chambers of the heart, making more accurate pictures of the valves and heart structures. The heart structures include the heart chambers, muscle, pericardium (the outer lining), and the blood vessels connecting to the heart.

A TEE can provide a lot more detail than a standard echocardiogram, although the patient may have a mild sore throat for a day or two after the test.

A TEE can determine if there any problems with the heart function or structures. It works better in patients on a ventilator, who have bandages on the chest, or have a thick chest wall. TEE pictures can help see the size of the heard, the thickness of the heart walls, evidence of infections or cancer, stenosis (blockage) of the valves, regurgitation (blood flowing backward through a valve, or blood clots.

TEE is also used during heart surgery to see details better.

Stanislaus Cardiology is ready to treat your cardiac disorders. Call 209-521-9661 for an appointment.