Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

A Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) is a specialized type of echocardiogram that uses an ultrasound probe inserted through the esophagus to provide detailed images of the heart. Unlike a standard echocardiogram, which captures images from outside the chest, TEE allows for clearer, closer views of the heart’s structures, especially the valves and chambers, because the esophagus is positioned directly behind the heart. TEE is often used to detect blood clots, infections, or abnormalities that might be missed by other imaging techniques.