TEE
Also written as: TEE — Transesophageal Echocardiography
Transesophageal echocardiography; ultrasound imaging via probe placed in esophagus for detailed heart visualization.
Full Definition
Transesophageal echocardiography is a semi-invasive echocardiographic technique that uses an ultrasound probe inserted into the esophagus to obtain high-resolution images of cardiac structures. TEE provides superior visualization compared to transthoracic echocardiography for posterior cardiac structures, including the left atrium, mitral valve, and aorta. This technique is particularly valuable for detecting cardiac sources of embolism, assessing prosthetic valves, and guiding interventional procedures. TEE requires conscious sedation and carries slightly higher risks than standard echocardiography.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) in documentation.
In Context
- "TEE was performed to evaluate for a cardiac source of embolism following the patient's stroke." — Procedure note
- "Intraoperative TEE confirmed proper positioning of the mitral valve repair." — Operative report