What is a transesophageal echocardiogram?

A TEE is a type of echocardiogram used to assess the heart’s condition, function and structures.  A probe is passed through the mouth and into your esophagus rather than placing a transducer on the outside of the chest like they do with a regular echocardiogram.  You will be given anesthesia so that you will sleep during this test.

A plastic mouthpiece will be placed in your mouth to protect your teeth and the scope.

The transducer sends out ultrasonic sound waves at high frequency which move through the body tissues to the heart tissues.  The transducer picks up the reflected waves and sends them to a computer that interprets the echoes into an image of the heart. By inserting the transducer into the esophagus (your food pipe), a Tee provides a better picture because the sound waves do not have to pass through skin, fat and muscle.

Reasons for the test

A TEE may be performed to evaluate signs of heart disease or to look for specific heart conditions.  Reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:

• To assess the heart’s function and structures
• To evaluate the heart before or after procedures like cardiac bypass or valve replacement or repair
• To evaluate the cardiac status of persons with know heart disease prior to surgery
• To check for blood clots, atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries), congenital heart disease (defects like a “hole in the heart”), aneurysms, valve disease, cardiac tumor and or pericarditis

Risks associated with TEE

Possible risks include the following:

• Breathing problems
• Heart rhythm problems
• Infection of the heart valves
• Bleeding of the esophagus

Patients who are receiving or have had radiation therapy to the esophagus or with known problems of the esophagus, such as esophageal varices or stricture (narrowing), should tell the physician before having the procedure.  You may have a blood test prior to the procedure to test your blood for how long it takes to clot.