TEE

So this week in lab we learned about the TEE (transesophageal echo) which is where they actually stick a probe (about the width of a ring finger) down the esophagus in order to image the heart. This is often done if there are problems with getting good pictures through the transthoracic method (the transducer on the outside of the chest, like ultrasounding babies, but the heart).
During the TEE, the patient is awake and they have to help swallow the probe as pictured below. It is a very quick procedure, as anyone would hope, since it is not too comfortable, as one could imagine.
Ok, so the black part is the tube that is sent down the throat, the handle with the circle is where the doctor holds and presses certain buttons to control the ultrasound beam and probe movements, and the white cord is simply attached to the machine.
It is some pretty facinating stuff, and nice because it isn't gross like surgery.
Welp that was my excitment for the week...Hope Everyone has a Great Holiday Weekend!!
Until next time...
~Kt~