TEE (stands for TransEsophageal Echocardiogram
This is a procedure where a special tube which houses a small ultrasound probe is placed in your mouth and passed down your esophagus. This allows your cardiologist to obtain ultrasound images of your heart from inside your body. You will receive sedation from one of our anesthesia providers for a TEE, if requested by your cardiologist.
Please note that a TEE is different from a TransThoracic Echocardiogram (TTE). During a TTE, the ultrasound probe is placed on the chest. No sedation is needed for a TTE.
Cardioversion or Electrocardioversion
This a procedure where special patches that are placed on the chest and back are used to deliver a precisely controlled shock to the heart in order to change an abnormal rhythm (atrial fibrillation or flutter) into a normal rhythm. If you are going to have a scheduled cardioversion (that is, non-emergency), you will receive sedation medication from an anesthesia provider before the shock.