What happens during a transesophageal echocardiogram?

What happens during a transesophageal echocardiogram?

A transesophageal echo (TEE) test is a type of echo that uses a long, thin, tube (endoscope) to guide the ultrasound transducer down the esophagus (“food pipe” that goes from the mouth to the stomach). This lets the doctor see pictures of the heart without the ribs or lungs getting in the way.

How safe is a TEE?

Possible risks of transesophageal echocardiograms include bleeding, breathing issues, or heart rhythm problems. You could also have injuries to your mouth, teeth, throat, or esophagus.

Why do I need a transesophageal echocardiogram?

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a special type of echocardiogram. It is usually done when your doctor wants to look more closely at your heart to see if it could be producing blood clots. Like an echocardiogram, the TEE uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the structures of the heart.

How long does a TEE test take?

How long does the test take? The test will usually take about 90 minutes. After you have recovered from the sedation, you may go home, but remember, you CANNOT drive after the test.

Is TEE done under anesthesia?

In adults, TEEs’ are usually performed with topical analgesia and light sedation, however this method is seldom tolerated by children. Deeper sedation using oral agents also often fails. The aim of this study is to review prospectively the anesthetic technique developed by our anesthesia department for pediatric TEE.

Can a TEE be done at bedside?

Standard, non-invasive echocardiograms can be performed in a doctor’s office, or at the bedside in people who are hospitalized, with little or no preparation, and in most cases, they are fine for gaining the desired information about a person’s heart.

Doctors may recommend transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to help diagnose a heart or blood vessel disease or condition. TEE can be used for adults and children. Doctors also may use TEE to guide cardiac catheterization, help prepare for surgery, or assess a patient’s status during or after surgery.

What does a transesophageal echocardiogram look for?

What sedation is used for TEE?

Midazolam is often used for conscious sedation before transesophageal echo (TEE) studies.

What are the risks of a transesophageal echocardiogram?

1 Damage to the esophagus, including bleeding or a tear (very rare) 2 Reaction to the medication used to relax patients during the procedure, including nausea and difficulty breathing 3 Sore throat after the procedure

Are there any complications with a echocardiogram?

It is a relatively safe procedure. Yet, it can also have some fatal complications. The complications can arise either due to the probe used for a procedure or due to the procedure itself. Injuries can lead to bleeding, tear or disruption of the soft tissues.

Do you need an antibiotic before an echocardiogram?

Notify the doctor if patients have heart valve disease, a congenital heart condition, or a history of endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) as patients may need to receive an antibiotic prior to the procedure Patients may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help with relaxation.

Is it safe to have an echocardiogram performed on a child?

Assessment during repair of aortic dissections. There is a very small risk complications associated with this procedure. This is the reason why it can be performed in adults as well as children. It is a relatively safe procedure. Yet, it can also have some fatal complications.

What are the risks of an echocardiogram?

Possible risks associated with a transesophageal echocardiogram include: Breathing problems. Heart rhythm problems. Infection. Bleeding. Injury to the mouth, throat or esophagus.

What to expect during an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram exam usually includes a Doppler recording of the blood movement or flow within the heart. When color flow Doppler is used in the exam, it will appear as different colors moving within the white and black images on the monitor. The different colors represent the different speeds and directions of blood flow in the heart.

How should I prepare for the echocardiogram?

There is no preparation for the echocardiogram. You can eat and drink like normal before the ultrasound. You may just want to make sure that you use the restroom before you check in for your echo, as you may be in the exam room for 30 minutes or more.

How does a transesophageal echocardiogram procedure work?

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) uses echocardiography to assess the structure and function of the heart. During the procedure, a transducer (like a microphone) sends out ultrasonic sound waves.