Transesophageal Ultrasound of Heart (TEE)

Transesophageal cardiac ultrasound (TEE) uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce detailed images of the heart and blood vessels leading to and from it. Unlike standard ultrasound, the TEE sound-producing ultrasound probe is attached to a thin tube that passes through the mouth, down the throat to the esophagus. Because the esophagus is very close to the heart, very clear images of the heart cavities and valves can be obtained.
INDICATIONS / WHY IS IT WORKING?
• For  more accurate presentation of cardiac cavities and flaps than standard ultrasound, to detect heart valve disease, damage to the heart muscle, impaired mobility or immobility of a portion of the heart muscle (scar after heart attack), inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), inflammation of the heart (inflammation of endocarditis) ), diseases of the large blood vessels of the heart, the presence of blood clots in the pulmonary artery (pulmonary embolism)
• If standard ultrasound cannot be performed correctly.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Especially trained subspecialists perform TEE which lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.
• You will lie on the table and be given a spray medication that will numb your throat and suppress the ingestion reflex.
• An intravenous line will be placed in your hand and you will be given mild sedatives to help you stay calm.
• You will be strapped to your chest electrodes, which are connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording machine to monitor your heart rate.
• The doctor then gently inserts a thin, flexible tube (probe) through your mouth down your throat, asking you to swallow as the probe continues down.
• The probe sends sound waves to your heart and registers a wave rejection about it. This wave repulsion is converted to an image that appears on the screen. This part of the test takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
• When the doctor has finished collecting the images, the probe, intravenous line and electrodes are removed and you are under observation until you are fully awake.

POTENTIAL RISKS
• A very low risk of performing TEE occurs when passing the probe through the mouth down the throat to the esophagus.
• You will be given medication to help you relax and to make your throat numb. You can still feel a slight discomfort though.
• Throat pain may occur one or two days after the test.
• In extremely rare cases, TEE can cause esophageal bleeding.
PREPARATION
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages for several days before the test.
• Do not bring food or drink for at least 4 to 6 hours before the procedure.
• Due to the use of sedatives, you should not drive after the test.
AFTER RECORDING

• Your throat may be numb for a short period of time. During this time, do not eat or drink anything to avoid suffocation!
• You may have difficulty swallowing after the test, which will stop within the next few hours.
• It is common for sore throats to persist one or two days after the test.
• Due to the use of sedatives, do not drink alcohol for the next day or two.