This a special type of echocardiogram (ultrasound) test where a long thin tube with an ultrasound camera on the tip is advanced down into the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach while you are sedated.  This echo test gives high resolution images of the heart and its various components such as valve function, presence of clots and heart function.   The TEE can generate both 2 and 3 dimensional images of the heart.

The TEE is typically done to assess severity of valve dysfunction, prior to cardioversion (heart shocking), evaluate for valve infection or assessment for congenital heart disease. 

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