TEE uses high-frequency sound waves ultrasound to make detailed pictures of your heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. Unlike a standard echocardiogram , the echo transducer that produces the sound waves for TEE is attached to a thin tube that passes through your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus.
Because the esophagus is so close to the upper chambers of the heart, very clear images of those heart structures and valves can be obtained. TEE can give clearer pictures of the upper chambers of the heart, and the valves between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, than standard echocardiograms. Doctors may also use TEE if you have a thick chest wall, are obese, have bandages on your chest, or are using a ventilator to help you breathe.
TEE is often used to provide information during surgery to repair heart valves, a tear in the aorta or congenital heart lesions. The few risks of TEE involve passing the probe from your mouth down into your throat and esophagus. You will get medicines before the test to make you calm and to numb your throat. But you may feel like gagging.
You may also have a sore throat for a day or two after the test. In very rare cases, TEE causes the esophagus to bleed. Check with your doctor. He or she may ask you not to have alcoholic drinks for a few days before the test, and not to eat or drink anything for at least 4 to 6 hours before TEE.
Because you receive a sedative to help you stay calm, someone should drive you home after the test. Specially trained doctors perform TEE. Your throat may be numb for a short time. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. Heart Attack. Enter the Endoscopy Suite through the glass doors. This is for your safety. People with the same or similar names may be having procedures on the same day. The IV will be used to give you anesthesia medication to make you sleep during your procedure.
You may also get fluids through the IV before your procedure. Your healthcare provider will set up equipment to monitor your heart, breathing, and blood pressure. Your healthcare provider may also numb your throat with a spray.
This takes about 15 minutes. Your nurse will continue to monitor your heart, breathing, and blood pressure. Your nurse will explain your discharge instructions to you before you go home. Your feedback will help us improve the information we provide to patients and caregivers. We read every comment, but we're not able to respond. If you have questions about your care, contact your healthcare provider.
For more resources, visit www. Figure 1. This can cause fluid buildup congestion in the blood vessels and lungs, as well as the feet, ankles, and other parts of the body.
This is a weakening and bulging of a part of the heart muscle or the aorta the large artery that carries oxygenated blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. Heart valve disease. Malfunction of one or more of the heart valves that may block blood flow within the heart or result in blood leaking backwards regurgitation.
Cardiac tumor. A tumor of the heart may occur on the outside surface of the heart, within one or more chambers of the heart, or within the muscle tissue of the heart. This is an inflammation or infection of the sac that surrounds the heart. Infective endocarditis. This is an infection of the heart, usually affecting the heart valves. Blood clot and stroke.
Blood clots can form inside the heart chambers, break free, and then flow to the brain or other areas of the body. This can cause a stroke or other problems.
Most often these clots form with irregular heart rhythms or stagnant blood flow in the heart. To evaluate the heart during open-heart surgery after procedures, such as coronary artery bypass or valve replacement or repair. If you have known problems of the esophagus, such as esophageal varices, esophageal obstruction or stricture, or radiation therapy to the area of the esophagus, you may not be able to have a TEE.
Your doctor will evaluate you carefully before having the procedure. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test.
Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. You will need to fast for a certain period before the procedure. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to fast, whether for a few hours or overnight. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to or sensitive to medicines, local anesthesia, or latex.
Tell your provider of all medicines prescription and over-the-counter and herbal supplements that you are taking. Tell your provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting.
You may be told to stop some of these medicines before the procedure. Your healthcare provider may request a blood test before the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot. Other blood tests may be done as well. Tell the provider if you have heart valve disease, a congenital heart condition, or a history of endocarditis infection of the heart valves. A TEE may be done on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital.
You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. If you wear dentures or any oral prosthesis, they will be removed before the insertion of the TEE probe. An intravenous IV line will be started in your hand or arm to inject of medicine and to give IV fluids, if needed.
You will lie on a table or bed, positioned on your left side. A pillow or wedge may be placed behind your back for support. You will be connected to an electrocardiogram ECG monitor that records the electrical activity of the heart and monitors the heart during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes.
Your vital signs heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure.
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