Transesophageal Echocardiography
What is it?
Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses high
frequency ultrasound waves to produce a picture of the
heart. In transesophageal echocardiography, a transducer
that emits sound waves is passed down the throat and into
the esophagus, where doctors can get an even clearer
picture of the heart.
Who needs this procedure?
Transesophageal echocardiography is used to diagnose
abnormalities of the heart, such as thickening of the
heart walls, heart enlargement, infections, fluid build
up, valve malfunctions, blood clots in the left atrium,
and a condition called regurgitation, in which blood flows
backward through the partially closed heart valves. It
also shows the size of the heart, how well it is pumping,
blood flow patterns, and whether there is any damage to
the heart tissue. Transesophageal echocardiography
provides a better picture of the heart when the patient is
obese, has a thick chest wall or bandages on the chest, or
is on a ventilator, all of which can interfere with the
sound waves in a regular echocardiogram. Transesophageal
echocardiography may also be used during cardiac surgery
to monitor heart function.
How do I prepare for this procedure?
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid alcoholic
beverages for a few days before your test. Alcohol may
intensify the effects of the sedative that is sometimes
used in this procedure. He or she will also tell you
whether you may eat or drink anything before the
procedure.
How is this procedure performed?
Before the transesophageal echocardiogram begins, you
may be given a mild sedative to relax you. Because it is
normal to gag if a foreign object is placed in the throat,
the back of your throat is sprayed with a local anesthetic
to numb the area so you won’t feel the transducer. The
transducer is inside a flexible tube called an endoscope,
which contains a fiber optic system that allows the doctor
to see where the tube is going. The endoscope is passed
down the throat and into the esophagus until it is next to
the heart. The transducer sends ultrasound waves into the
heart, which bounce back, or “echo,” off certain
structures of the heart. Special echocardiography
equipment translates these sound waves into a moving
picture of the heart. A transesophageal echocardiogram may
take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
What can I expect after the procedure?
If you have received a sedative before the
transesophageal echocardiogram, you should have someone
available to drive you home. Your doctor will recommend
that you wait to eat or drink anything until after the
numbness in your throat has worn off. If you do not, you
could accidentally inhale food or drink into your lungs.
Your throat may feel slightly sore for a few days after
the procedure. Contact your doctor if the soreness in your
throat does not go away or gets worse.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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