TEE
Pronunciation: T-E-E
Also written as: TEE — Transesophageal Echocardiography
Ultrasound imaging of the heart performed through a probe placed in the esophagus.
Full Definition
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a specialized cardiac imaging technique that uses ultrasound waves generated from a probe positioned in the esophagus to create detailed images of cardiac structures. Because the esophagus lies directly behind the heart, TEE provides superior image quality compared to transthoracic echocardiography, particularly for posterior cardiac structures, the left atrium, mitral valve, and aorta. TEE requires conscious sedation and is invaluable for detecting cardiac sources of embolism, assessing valvular disease severity, guiding interventional procedures, and monitoring during cardiac surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) in documentation.
In Context
- "TEE was performed to evaluate for cardiac source of embolism in the stroke patient." — Investigation planning
- "Intraoperative TEE guided the mitral valve repair procedure." — Surgical report