Transesophageal Echocardiography

Much like a regular cardiac echocardiogram, a transesophageal echo (TEE) also uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. During the transesophageal echocardiogram test, an ultrasound transducer, which is positioned on an endoscope (a long, thin, flexible instrument about a half inch in diameter), is placed into your mouth and passed into your esophagus (the “food pipe” leading from your mouth into your stomach) to provide a closer look at your heart’s valves and chambers without interference from the ribs or lungs.