Transesophageal echocardiogram
Transesophageal echocardiogram
Transesophageal echocardiogram (pronunciation: tran-se-sof-uh-JEE-ul eh-ko-KAR-dee-o-gram) is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound technology to create detailed images of the heart and its blood vessels.
Etymology
The term "transesophageal echocardiogram" is derived from the following roots: "trans" (Latin for "across"), "esophageal" (pertaining to the esophagus), "echo" (Greek for "sound"), and "cardiogram" (from the Greek "kardia" for "heart" and "gramma" for "something written").
Procedure
During a transesophageal echocardiogram, a flexible tube containing an ultrasound transducer is passed down the patient's throat and into the esophagus. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off the heart and blood vessels, creating echoes that are converted into moving images on a monitor.
Uses
A transesophageal echocardiogram is used to diagnose and monitor various heart conditions, including heart valve diseases, atrial fibrillation, and congenital heart disease. It can also be used to guide the surgeon during heart surgery.
Related Terms
- Echocardiography: The use of ultrasound waves to create images of the heart.
- Transthoracic echocardiogram: An echocardiogram that is performed by placing the ultrasound transducer on the chest wall.
- Stress echocardiogram: An echocardiogram that is performed while the patient is exercising or under stress.
- Doppler echocardiogram: An echocardiogram that uses Doppler technology to measure the speed and direction of blood flow in the heart.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Transesophageal echocardiogram
- Wikipedia's article - Transesophageal echocardiogram
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