Cardiology

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is mostly performed to examine the heart and major blood vessels. During TEE, a thin, flexible ultrasound probe is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus, and placed directly behind the heart to allow close examination of the heart and major blood vessels. The close proximity of the esophagus to the heart also means TEE images are often superior to those obtained by a standard chest (transthoracic) echocardiogram, making TEE a useful procedure for examining certain “hard-to-see” structures, such as heart valves, left atrium, left atrial appendage and aorta. 

TEE is mostly performed for the following purposes:

• Evaluation of heart valve conditions, such as valve stenosis or regurgitation, and prosthetic valve function
• Diagnosis of infective endocarditis and cardiac valve vegetation
• Examination of blood clots in the left atrium or left atrial appendage, especially before ablation or cardioversion for arrhythmias
• Confirmation of cardiac sources of embolism, e.g. in unexplained stroke cases
• Assessment of congenital heart disease and atrial septal defects
• Examination of aortic conditions, cardiac tumours or abnormal structures
• Guidance and monitoring during heart surgery or interventional procedures 
   

As an invasive procedure, TEE is carried out only after a detailed evaluation for necessity and risk by doctors. Patients undergoing TEE must be hospitalised and put under local anaesthesia.