Why it is so Important to Test Children

A transesophageal echocardiogram is an echocardiogram that utilizes ultrasound waves that “bounces” off the heart in order to generate pictures that show the sate of the heart on a TV screen (Belham, 2010). It provides health care practitioners with valuable information regarding the physical formation of the heart and its working. In addition, the TEE when showing a direct vision of the heart leaves or maintains other parts like the breastbone and ribs in the way. At the course of all these, the pictures captured are stored or recorded onto a computer.

As it has been seen, the transesophageal echocardiogram or TEE helps doctors in detecting the heart complications in children. Its importance also rests in the fact that is capable of look at the chambers and valves of the heart; look for varied types of heart disease; it shows pictures of heart in regard to function after valve surgery and finally, it helps in checking for any problem in the upper chamber of the heart particularly the left atrium.

The transesophageal echocardiogram is carried out by a cardiologized that specializes in patients who have problems with their heart. It is normally carried out under sedation as a child must be very calm for it. Even though not fully asleep, the child may not suffer any pain at the time of testing or remember it at the end. During the test, the heart rate of the child, as well as the rhythm, blood pressure and breathing must be carefully checked. Normally, the test takes almost thirty minutes, and the heart pictures are recorded to enable the doctor to revisit them later.

 Doctors often make use of the TEE, in addition to, angiography to treat the heart defect using a catheter (Perrino & Reeves, 2008). The procedures of TEE are much easier compared to surgery on children, as they utilize only a needle prick in the skin. This, in fact, means that recovery is easier and faster. The outlook for kids having this process is exceptional. Normally, closures are successful in close to nine out of ten patients, with no notable leakage.