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Newton cardiologist captures clearer heart images using new procedure
11-25-09 A much clearer image of a patient’s heart is now possible locally at Newton Medical Center’s cardiovascular catheterization laboratory.
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Newton cardiologist Saad Farhat, M.D., performed the area’s first transesophageal echo (TEE) procedure on Nov. 18. The patient was Delbert Thiesen of Newton.
The TEE probe is inserted in the patient’s esophagus – or food pipe – that connects the mouth to the stomach. Since the esophagus sits behind the heart, the echo beam does not have to travel through the front of the patient’s chest. This avoids closely placed ribs, obesity and emphysema, which may create technical difficulties by limiting the transmission of the ultrasound beams to and from the heart when performing a standard echocardiogram.
The TEE procedure also provides the physician with a clearer image of the heart’s back structures, such as the left atrium. This important heart component may not be seen as well by a standard echo taken from the front of the chest.
The TEE echo transducer is much smaller than the standard echo equipment and is positioned at the end of a flexible tube. The tube transfers the images from the transducer to the echo monitor.
By rotating and moving the tip of the transducer, the physician can examine the heart from several different angles.
A TEE is useful in detecting blood clots, masses and tumors located in the heart. It can also gauge the severity of certain valve problems and detect heart valve infection. It is also very useful in evaluation patients who have had strokes causes by blood clots.
The TEE procedure lasts about 30 minutes, but two hours are allowed for preparation and observation of the patient.
Dr. Farhat is board certified in cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology. He serves as medical director of the Newton cardiovascular lab.
Dr. Farhat’s practice is located in suite 240 of the Medical Office Plaza, 700 Medical Center Drive. For more information, call Dr. Farhat at (316) 283-9444.
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