Transesophageal Echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a widely used imaging modality that provides important and complementary information to standard transthoracic imaging. Sonographic imaging of the heart is performed using a flexible endoscope with an ultrasound transducer mounted near the end. The close proximity of the heart to the esophagus allows the use of a high-frequency transducer, which gives high-quality images of cardiac structure and avoids interference from air-containing lungs. TEE allows high-quality imaging of most cardiac structures, including posterior structures such as the atria and their appendages as well as the thoracic aorta. However, anterior structures such as the true left ventricular apex and the pulmonic valve may be better imaged from the transthoracic position. While there are many indications for TEE, the most common indications are to rule out endocarditis or, in the clinical situation of stroke, to rule out cardiac-source emboli.