TEE

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a type of echo test that uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. Unlike other types of echo tests, a TEE creates pictures from inside your body. Your provider guides a thin, flexible tube down your esophagus. A TEE can diagnose many problems including blood clots and infections in your heart.

A transesophageal echocardiogram shows a detailed view of your heart’s structure and function. It can help diagnose and manage many different conditions, including:

• Aortic aneurysm, which is a bulge in your largest blood vessel.
• Blood clots in your heart. People with atrial fibrillation face a higher risk of clots in their atria (upper heart chambers.
• Cardiac tumors, which may be cancerous or noncancerous.
• Congenital heart disease, which includes a range of heart problems that you’re born with.
• Heart valve disease, including mitral valve disease. Your valves may be narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation). TEE can also spot problems with prosthetic valves, such as growths or infections.
• Infective endocarditis and other infections in your heart tissue or valves.
• Pericardial disease, which affects the sac that covers your heart.