CPT® Code 93355

Echocardiography, transesophageal (TEE) for guidance of a transcatheter intracardiac or great vessel(s) structural intervention(s) (eg, TAVR, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, mitral valve repair, paravalvular regurgitation repair, left atrial appendage occlusion/closure, ventricular septal defect closure) (peri-and intra-procedural), real-time image acquisition and documentation, guidance with quantitative measurements, probe manipulation, interpretation, and report, including diagnostic transesophageal echocardiography and, when performed, administration of ultrasound contrast, Doppler, color flow, and 3D

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a specialized imaging technique that employs high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the heart and great vessels. This procedure involves the insertion of a flexible probe with a transducer tip into the esophagus, which is anatomically positioned directly behind the heart. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off the heart structures and return to the computer, generating real-time images that provide critical insights into cardiac anatomy and function. TEE is particularly valuable for visualizing various heart components, including the aorta, pulmonary artery, heart valves, both atria, atrial septum, left atrial appendage, and coronary arteries. The images produced by TEE allow for the assessment of heart size, wall thickness, and overall pumping efficiency. Additionally, TEE is instrumental in identifying abnormal tissue surrounding heart valves, which may indicate conditions such as infection, tumors, regurgitation, or stenosis. It is also effective in detecting tears or dissections of the aorta. TEE can be utilized preoperatively to evaluate and diagnose cardiac conditions, as well as intra-procedurally during transcatheter interventions aimed at repairing heart valves, vessels, and septal defects. The procedure can incorporate various echocardiographic techniques, including M-mode ultrasound for measuring heart structure and wall thickness, Doppler echocardiography for tracking blood flow, Color Doppler for visualizing blood flow direction, two-dimensional echocardiography for assessing heart structure and motion, and three-dimensional echocardiography for enhanced imaging depth and functional measurement during motion.