Know more about Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Neelam Mohan and her expertise in Transesophageal Echocardiography - TEE

Pediatric Gasterologist Dr. Neelam Mohan is working with Medanta Hospital Medicity Gurgaon. With more than 21 years of experience, she has been recognized as the first doctor in India to start therapeutic endoscopy work for infants. With her amazing knowledge and expertise, she has authored more than 180 publications and more than 50 chapters in books. For her contribution to the medical stream, she has been honored by various awards. She is also an esteemed member of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenteritis and Oncologists (IASGO), Asian Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), and the Education Committee of International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA). Her expertise lies in the treatment of pediatric liver disease, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal /abdominal diseases.

Transesophageal Echocardiography – Tee

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a form of ultrasound test. In this test, the doctor puts a tube down the esophagus with an ultrasound device that takes a series of moving pictures of the heart. It depicts if it makes clots when it pumps blood.

The esophagus is the tube from where food travels from your throat down to your stomach. It’s very near to the heart. As blood flows in and out, a good spot will be there to get accurate images of its chambers and valves 

It also shows detailed pictures of the blood vessels attached to the heart and its outer lining.

A small echocardiogram transducer is used, which has sound waves to measure the heart’s rhythm as it beats. It’s placed at the edge of a long, thin, soft tube called an endoscope.

Use Of TEE

• To see the blood flow through the heart’s valves.

• It also helps to diagnose

• An enlarged heart

• Pericarditis

• Tumors

• Tears in the wall of your aorta, or a large artery

• Atherosclerosis

• Blood clots

• Strokes

• Heart failure

• Congenital heart disease

Procedure

When you’ll lie on a table or bed, your nurse will stick small, flat patches called electrodes on your chest. These patches measure the number of electric signals that your heart makes when it beats. To measure the oxygen levels in your blood your nurse will put a blood pressure cuff around your arm and a clip on your finger. Your throat must be numb for the test. For the same, you will be given a solution to gargle and then spray the throat so you won’t feel anything. A sedative will be given through an intravenous tube into your vein. This will make you sleepy. On lying at your side, your doctor will use an instrument to help dry the mouth. Then, the endoscope will slide down your throat and esophagus. They’ll lubricate the tube to get it down easily.

Take Away

Once your test is over you will undergo a normal checkup that includes blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Initial days may feel a bit groggy. Once you feel normal you will be back to your normal life. For an expert opinion and treatment, you can contact Dr.Neelam Mohan from Medanta Hospital Medicity Gurgaon.