TEE (TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY)

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a test that produces pictures of your heart. TEE uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make detailed pictures of your heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. Unlike a standard echocardiogram, the echo transducer that produces the sound waves for TEE is attached to a thin tube that passes through your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus. Because the esophagus is so close to the upper chambers of the heart, very clear images of those heart structures and valves can be obtained. After this test, you may have a mild sore throat for a day or two.

TEE can give clearer pictures of the upper chambers of the heart, and the valves between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, than standard echocardiograms. It is especially useful to see if blood clots are in the chambers of your heart, in particular the upper chamber, for example after a stroke.

• You should not have alcoholic drinks for a few days before the test, and not to eat or drink anything for at least 4 to 6 hours before TEE.
• Because you may receive a sedative to help you stay calm, someone should drive you home after the test.