Transesophogeal Echocardiogram (TEE) is a test we perform in the hospital. It is very helpful in diagnosing dissection of the aorta (tearing of the vessel), finding very small blood clots in the heart, and for detecting vegetations (small growths) on the heart, which are usually poorly visualized on traditional echocardiograms.

Your throat will be sprayed with a local anesthetic to keep you from gagging and you will be given a short acting sedative by injection to ease the discomfort cause by the probe. You will feel sleepy but will stay awake. Your doctor will help you to swallow the echo probe. In general, people handle the test well and do not remember any discomfort.

The test usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The TEE is an out-patient procedure, but you will need a driver to take you home after the test.