Tee?

[KathyM]

What is the TEE test? I have never heard of this one? OY...another test.


Thanks all..


xoxo
KathyM

 

[Bradley White]

Hi,

I have had quite a few TEEs. If I remember correctly, it stands for trans-esophageal echocardiogram. Basically, it is similar to the echo that you would normally get where they would look from the outside of your chest in at your heart valves, except that this time they are looking from within your esophagus at your valves. It often can give a better view than the traditional echo and allows for more accurate estimates of leakage and a better understanding of the specific nature of the problems of the defective valve. Basically a small device is put down your throat and threaded down into the esophagus and them the echo is conducted. I have always been under general anesthesia for these procedures. My only side effect has been a sore throat afterwards. I don't think it should be too big of a deal. Good luck!

Brad

 

[MikeHeim]

It's more accurate because the esophagus runs very close to your heart. For a standard echo, the waves have to travel (at least partially) through the lungs, which makes the picture much less clear.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It's more accurate because the esophagus runs very close to your heart. For a standard echo, the waves have to travel (at least partially) through the lungs, which makes the picture much less clear.

MY guess is that going through your Sternum and Ribs has more of an effect than the lungs. JMHO.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[MikeHeim]

MY guess is that going through your Sternum and Ribs has more of an effect than the lungs. JMHO.

'AL Capshaw'

Actually, I would guess the opposite. Every time you send a wave through different phases of matter, you will get some distortion and refraction. If you look from a boat down into a lake (assuming the water is clear), the plants, fish, etc. that you see will look somewhat distorted (both in size and actual location). If stick your head in the water, the distortion is gone. Similarily, the echo waves need to travel through your body, into the air of your lungs, and out the other side. They then reflect off your heart tissue and then have to go back through the lungs and get distorted again to get read and displayed. The echo waves need to pass directly through the bones unimpeded, or you would see their image on the screen.

Of course, I could be wrong and someone could come along and correct me. If so, I apologize.

 

[Ross]

http://www.heartsite.com/html/tee.html

 

[ALCapshaw2]

http://www.heartsite.com/html/tee.html

WOW! That is an Excellent and Informative site Ross.
This link should be in the Reference Resources Forum
(and maybe as a sticky in the Pre-Surgery or Heart Talk Forum)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Jkm7]

I had my TEE yesterday and my cardio described that the esophogus travels behind the heart. By placing the camera and tube into the esophogus they can get a clear image of the heart. Unfortunately for me, the clear image showed a severly leaking valve that must be repaired/replaced ASAP.

I was given demerol and versad?(sp?) and the last thing I remember is signing the consent form which was given me immediately before they were ready to begin.

If I did not know these doctors so well when I awoke I would have wondered if they actually did anything. I felt nothing, remember absolutely nothing and aside from some sleepiness have no residual efects. Maybe the tiniest hint of a speck of a sorethroat. If I were not carefully 'checking' out of curiousity to see if I would have a sore throat, I probably would not have even noticed.

Don't fret having a TEE.....if mine is any example, it really is painless, easy and quick IF you have a talented interceding Cardio doing it. Like most things, pick the best Doctors available who have the finest skills.