TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY - WHEN IS IT SUPERIOR TO STANDARD IMAGING IN CLINICAL-PRACTICE

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an important adjunct to tran sthoracic echocardiography in evaluating patients with known or suspec ted cardiac disorders. In fact, in many, situations, TEE is superior t o transthoracic echocardiography (eg, in assessing the anatomy of the atrial septum, evaluating mitral regurgitation in mechanical prosthese s, evaluating prosthetic heart valves, detecting vegetations and compl ications of endocarditis). TEE is safe, portable, and readily availabl e and can be used in ambulatory and critical care settings as well as in the operating room. Undoubtedly, as experience with TEE expands, so will its role in clinical practice.