Review of Complications in a Series of Patients With Known Gastro-Esophageal Varices Undergoing Transesophageal Echocardiography

Although the presence of known esophageal varices was previously thought to be a contraindication to performing TEE, the results of this study show that TEE without transgastric views can be performed without serious complications in patients with grade 1 or 2 esophageal varices who have not experienced recent variceal hemorrhages. Additionally, there is a definite benefit, as all of the clinical questions were successfully answered.