Transesophageal echocardiography (ultrasound)

What is transesophageal heart ultrasound?

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a type of imaging technique that creates real-time images of your heart and the arteries leading to and from it in greater detail than a standard transthoracic ultrasound. Unlike a standard transthoracic echocardiogram, the echo transducer that creates sound waves for TEE is attached to a thin tube that passes through the mouth, down the throat into your esophagus. Since the esophagus is directly behind the heart, images of the heart structures and valves are much more detailed than with a standard echocardiogram.

When is transesophageal heart ultrasound used?

Transesophageal heart ultrasound is used to diagnose coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, heart attack, aortic aneurysms, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, injury to the heart or aorta, the size of your heart and the thickness of the myocardium, the presence of unusual tissue around your heart valves (which could indicate bacterial, viral, fungal infections or cancer), blood regurgitation (if blood leaks back through your heart valves), heart valve stenosis (if the valves are narrowed or blocked), the presence of blood clots in the chambers of your heart…

How to prepare for transesophageal heart ultrasound?

You must not eat or drink anything for at least 4 to 6 hours before the examination. Be sure to bring your medical history with you.

What after transesophageal heart ultrasound?

Since you receive sedatives to help you remain calm, someone should drive you home after the test. Your throat may be numb for a short time due to the sedatives, so do not eat or drink anything until the numbness disappears.