What is Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)? Cardiology Basics

What is Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)? Cardiology Basics Echocardiogram is an image of the heart using ultrasound. An ultrasound beam is transmitted into the body using a device known as transducer. The echo received from the body is processed by the computer in the machine to give a moving image of the heart. Transesophageal echocardiogram or TEE, is obtained by introducing a special type of transducer, also called a TEE probe, into the esophagus and stomach. Usual echocardiogram is obtained by placing the transducer or probe on the chest. Lungs may overlap the heart intermittently while imaging the heart from the chest wall. This is because the lungs cover part of the heart during inspiration and interferes with the image quality. In those with hyperinflated lungs as in emphysema, this causes poor echo window. In TEE as the echo probe is in the esophagus, there is no interference by the overlapping of lungs. Esophagus is just behind the heart so that the distance which the ultrasound beam has to travel to reach the heart is also small. For both these reasons, the images obtained by TEE has much superior quality compared to external imaging. While imaging nearby structures, higher frequency transducers can be used, increasing the image resolution. Higher frequencies cannot be used in transthoracic echocardiography because of attenuation at higher distances. TEE is very useful in picking up small clots and vegetations on heart valves. This helps in the diagnosis of pot...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs