Quick Question About a TEE

[ibvalerie]

I had a TEE or a transesophageal Echo, last week. I was wondering about that the EF reading it gave me. My normal echos were about 28-30 (which I know are the same) and the TEE gave me a EF of 24%. Is it more accurate, or is is subjective to the -5+ like a regular echo? I am curious.

[JAMESFETT]

The TEE gives a closer view, and is particularly helpful to see the atria and other heart structures. Because it comes from a different angle it should not be precisely compared to the trans-thoracic or chest wall echo. The range of variability is +/- 3 percent. I would think it probably compares favorably with your stable EF between 25 and 30 over the past year, and does not represent a decline. Best wishes. For monitoring purposes of left ventricle and EF the chest wall echo is very satisfactory.

JDF