title: Transesophageal echocardiography: what is it and what are the indications for its use.
abstract: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a relatively new technique for ultrasound imaging of the heart and great vessels via a gastroscope modified to house an ultrasound transducer on its tip. Imaging of cardiac and vascular structures is performed from within the esophagus and stomach. TEE probes have Doppler and color-flow imaging capabilities to provide detailed information about cardiac structure and function. A review of the esophageal intubation technique, structures visualized, and indications for TEE in medical practice is presented.
authors.affiliation: HeartCare Clinic, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kerut
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001021:Aortic Valve; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004947:Esophagus; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013270:Stomach; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging