[Transesophageal echocardiography: technique, indications and findings]

The introduction of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a 'semi-invasive' technique with few complications in clinical practice represents a major diagnostic advance in the evaluation of cardiac disease. The close anatomic vicinity of the transducer to the heart and thoracic aorta allows the use of high frequency devices with better resolution compared to transthoracic echocardiography. Furthermore, the diagnostic gain when evaluating structures that are poorly visualized by the transthoracic approach such as the left atrial appendage, interatrial septum, prosthetic valves and the thoracic aorta is highly improved by TEE. Major indications for TEE include the search for a cardiac source of embolism and cardiac tumors, the work-up prior to balloon mitral valvuloplasty, the evaluation of prosthetic valves and the search for vegetations and aortic dissection. After a short summary of patient preparation, instrumentation and examination technique, the major indications, contraindications and complications are reviewed on the basis of our own experience and the literature.