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Treatment

Pediatric Transesophageal Echocardiogram

What is transesophageal echocardiography?

Transesophageal echocardiography is also known as TEE, or heart scan with endoscopy. TEE uses a small probe guided into the esophagus while a child is sedated to closely evaluate the heart and blood vessels within the chest.

Echocardiography is a procedure used to assess the heart's function and structures through the use of sound waves. A transducer (similar to a microphone) sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed on the chest at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the heart tissues, where the waves echo off of the heart structures. The transducer picks up the reflected waves and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the echoes into an image of the heart walls and valves.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) uses a probe with a transducer on the end that is guided through the throat and into the esophagus while your child is sedated. The TEE transducer works the same as the one used in a regular echocardiogram. However, a clearer image can be obtained, because the sound waves do not have to pass through skin, muscle or bone tissue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems can echocardiography diagnose in children?

What are the different types of TEE echocardiography in children?

Why is a transesophageal echocardiogram performed for children?

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Cardiac Imaging at Children's National Hospital

Our heart experts have expertise in the full spectrum of cardiac imaging, including transesophageal, prenatal, 3-D, intracardiac, and stress echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Discover more about the procedures we offer.

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Providers of Transesophageal Echocardiogram

    Departments that Offer Transesophageal Echocardiogram

    Provider with cardiac patient

    Cardiac Imaging

    We have expertise in the full spectrum of cardiac imaging, including transesophageal, prenatal, 3-D, intracardiac, and stress echocardiography and cardiac MRI.

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    Children's National Heart Center

    Our expert pediatric heart team, including more than 40 subspecialties, offer advanced heart care and excellent outcomes for thousands of children every year.