Indian Academy of Echocardiography Guidelines for Performance of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Adults

Abstract

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has unique advantages over conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Compared with TTE, TEE generally provides excellent quality images, especially of the posteriorly situated cardiac structures, such as atria, pulmonary veins, mitral valve, and left atrial appendage. TEE also offers a useful alternative to TTE in patients in whom transthoracic acoustic windows are suboptimal. Furthermore, TEE is the most suited imaging modality for use in the operating rooms and cardiac catheterization labs for guiding cardiac surgical or interventional procedures. However, specific training and competence are required for performing TEE successfully, smoothly, safely and with minimum patient discomfort. This document describes the basic principles of TEE examination, including patient selection and preparation, periprocedural monitoring, and probe handling and maneuvers. Commonly recommended views and the techniques to obtain these views are described in detail, followed by evaluation of specific cardiac structures. Finally, the role of TEE in certain specific clinical settings, such as during advanced circulatory support, is also discussed.