What is the significance of a transesophageal echocardiogram?

Better pictures: If instead of recording through the chest wall, the echo transducer is passed down the esophagus, one can record the echo with much less tissue between the transducer and the heart. The left atrium is in contact with the esophagus. Because there is less tissue in the way, the images are much clearer.

Better picture: Tee is a more comprehensive look at the heart compared to the trans thoracic view. It is done inside the esophagus and allows better images to be obtained of various areas within the heart. It requires sedation however since most people don't like big probes in their esophagus. It is a very safe procedure.

Heart evaluation : A transesophageal echocardiogram (tee) is used to evaluate heart function, valves, and other problems such as blood clots or holes in the heart. Tee is done with sedation because it requires the placement of a probe in the mouth and esophagus. Tee allows better images of the heart for certain conditions as compared to transthoracic echo, which is done on the chest wall.