TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM PROCEDURE
Procedure:
A specialized probe containing an ultrasound transducer at its tip is passed into the patient’s esophagus. This allows image and Doppler evaluation from a location directly behind the heart.
Indications:
- When very high quality images of structures close to the esophagus are needed: left atrium appendage, mitral valve
- For suspicion of aortic dissection
- For the evaluation of prosthetic mitral valves
- When transthoracic images cannot be obtained
