Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

What is a Transesophageal Echocardiogram or TEE:

A Transesophageal Echocardiogram is often abbreviated as simply TEE. If it's difficult to get a clear picture of your heart with a standard echocardiogram, a transesophageal echocardiogram may be performed.

In this procedure, instead of moving a transducer over the outside of a chest, a flexible tube containing a smaller-sized transducer is guided down your throat and into your esophagus. From there, the transducer can obtain more detailed images of the heart.

For the test, the patient’s throat will be numbed, and medications are available to ease the procedure. But the benefits are the ability to show clearer pictures of the heart since the probe is located closer to it and the lungs and the chest wall bones do not block the sound waves.

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Getting a Transesophageal Echocardiogram or TEE:

Find out what the experience is like and what you should expect.

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Before the Echocardiogram

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During the Echocardiogram

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After the Echocardiogram

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