Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

This test uses ultrasound to make detailed images of the heart and the arteries leading to and from it. Unlike TTE, TEE requires a thin tube that passes through the mouth, down the throat and into the esophagus to obtain the clearest of images. A sedative is typically administered to keep the patient calm. TEE is commonly used to detect any abnormal tissue, blood clots, or how well the heart is pumping.