Transesophageal Echocardiogram

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a type of cardiac ultrasound to diagnose the extent of your heart valve disease or to assess whether your valve repair or replacement has been successful.

About the Test

TEE can show your physician areas of your heart that cannot be seen with traditional cardiac ultrasound. This is accomplished by inserting a thin ultrasound probe in your esophagus (down your throat) and positioning it behind and below your heart.

What You Need to Know

• TEE is performed in the Ambulatory Care Department by a cardiologist.
• You will be placed under conscious sedation during the test.
• The test takes about 30 minutes; recovery takes about 60 minutes.
• The test is painless.
• Don't eat or drink after midnight on the night before your test.
• You can't eat or drink for two hours after the test.
• You can't drive for 24 hours after the test, when the sedation medication will be out of your system.