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HD11 XE Getting Started
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TEE Transducers
• Inform the patient not to eat or drink for at least 6 hours before the exam.
•Advise the patient that he or she should not plan to drive after the exam,
because sedatives are often used.
•Follow institutional guidelines for obtaining patient consent for a transesoph-
ageal echocardiography (TEE) examination.
• Be sure that a recent ECG, CBC, and SMA6 are available as a baselines.
Examination Guidelines
During a TEE exam, an assistant can provide oral and pharyngeal suctioning of the
patient, and can monitor the patient’s blood pressure and general responses. For
unexpected occurrences, an emergency cart with basic life-support equipment
should be ready. Throughout the exam, it is important to carefully monitor the
patient’s reactions and to assure that ventilation and vital signs are stable.
In the operating room, do not use TEE transducers during surgical procedures
requiring extreme neck flexion, such as sitting craniotomies. The following are
important guidelines for TEE examinations:
1, 2
•Minimize the possibility of transducer tip fold-over.
This problem has occurred rarely, but its consequences can be serious. See
“Tip Fold-Over” on page 227.
• Maintain a patent airway.
For surgical patients, endotracheal intubation establishes a stable, patent air-
way before insertion of the transducer. For patients who are awake, carefully
monitor the patient’s breathing at all times.
1. Gussenhoven, Elma et al. “Transesophageal Two-dimensional Echocardiography: Its Role in
Solving Clinical Problems.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 975-979, 1986.
2. Cucchiara, R. F. et al. “Air Embolism in Upright Neurosurgical Patients: Detection and Local-
ization by Two-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography.” Anesthesiology, 353-355, 1984.
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