Transesophageal Echocardiography

Detailed Information:
A doctor performs this test, usually in the hospital outpatient department. If a patient is obese or has a thick chest wall, this test may be used, as it is useful to view difficult-to-examine hearts. This test also monitors heart function during cardiac surgery and detects blood clots in the left atrium.

This test works by passing a viewing tube and a small transducer down the esophagus, which allows the examiner to transmit waves to the heart from the body. (This procedure is similar to a routine endoscopy procedure that evaluates the GI tract.)

To prepare for the test, the patient may take a mild sedative. The doctor sprays the back of the throat with a local anesthetic to reduce the gag reflex. The endoscope containing the ultrasound transducer is then passed through the mouth and throat; the patient may have to swallow several times to help it move downward. The transducer projects sound waves to the heart from the esophagus wall. The doctor may move it several times to obtain different views of the heart. Throughout the test, techniques similar to conventional echocardiography records and analyzes the sound waves. After the tube is withdrawn from the throat, the anesthetic will wear off in about an hour and the gag reflex will return. Do not eat or drink until the gag reflex tests normal, which is done by touching the back of the throat with a tongue depressor. Abstain form alcohol for 24 hours because it increases the sedative effect.

Few factors affect the result. This test overcomes most of the problems during ordinary echocardiology because the transducer is placed right next to the heart.

Last updated: 03-Jun-04