An invasive type of echocardiography in which the device that generates the soundwaves that are to be measured is placed in the esophagus through the mouth.
A diagnostic test that analyzes sound waves bounced off the heart. The sound waves are sent through a tubelike device inserted in the mouth and passed down the esophagus (food pipe), which ends near the heart. This technique is useful in studying patients whose heart and blood vessels, for various reasons, are difficult to assess with standard echocardiography.
A type of specialized examination of the heart, which involves performing echocardiography by placing the ultrasound probe in the patient's esophagus, rather than against the chest wall. When used during cardiac surgery, TEE allows the surgeon to evaluate the adequacy of the repair of the congenital heart defects, the adequacy of function of the ventricles and the valves and the presence of any residual intracardiac shunts.
An ultrasound test to visualize the heart and defect, where an imaging probe with a camera is placed in the esophagus.
Echocardiography in which the transducer is placed in the esophagus to gain clearer images of the heart.
a specialized ultrasound involving an endoscopic technique (a visual inspection of a cavity in the body using a specialized instrument) that produces high quality cardiac images unobstructed by lung tissue or ribs. It can be performed as a diagnostic test in an outpatient procedure, or used to monitor patients during open-heart surgery.
a diagnostic test that is used to measure the sound waves that bounce off of the heart.
A test that allows your doctor to record ultrasound images of your heart from inside your esophagus, or food pipe. Since the esophagus lies just behind the heart, TEE may produce clearer pictures of the heart's movement than would standard echocardiography taken from outside the chest. During TEE, harmless sound waves bounce off your heart. These sound waves create images of your heart as it pumps blood through the valves and chambers. These images help identify problems such as infection, disease, or defects in your heart's walls or valves.
an echocardiogram that is done by putting a probe down the throat of a patient.
A diagnostic test, using a special probe placed within the esophagus, that employs ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has unusually accurate imaging capabilities that permit the identification of previously unidentified anatomic features and surgical results that may necessitate a change in surgical plan or surgical revision before the patient leaves the operating suite. TEE is used to assess the anatomy and blood flow in congenital heart disease. TEE is used during surgery to evaluate the effects on the heart, for example, of the repair of a congenital heart defect. TEE can detect blood clots in the atrium and is therefore useful in guiding cardioversion (to normalize the heart rhythm) in patients with atrial fibrillation who are prone to form such clots.
is an invasive procedure in which a transducer (instrument that bounces sound waves off the myocardium) is placed inside the esophagus to provide clear images of the heart's movement.
An ultrasound technique where the ultrasound probe (about as large as a pinky finger) is placed in the esophagus to "look" at the heart from behind. Transesophageal echocardiography is much more sensitive than transthoracic (across the chest) echocardiography, as overlying structures (bone and lungs) do not obscure the view. This technique requires sedation in virtually all cases.
