A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is a procedure to take detailed ultrasound pictures of the heart. A long thin flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and down the throat into the stomach. The tube has an ultrasound probe on the end of it. The stomach is close to the underside of the heart, so it is possible to get more detailed pictures of the heart than with a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).
You will be asked to not eat or drink for a certain time before the procedure. You will have an oxygen tube placed under your nose and some oxygen will be running. A local anesthetic spray will be sprayed into your mouth to numb your throat. A small tube (cannula) will be inserted into a vein in your arm and your doctor will give you some medication to make you sleepy. You will lie on your left-hand side and the doctor will face towards you and gently insert the probe into the back of your mouth. You may be asked to swallow to help the probe pass down easily. After this, the probe will be gently pushed down into the gullet from where the pictures will be taken. You will still be able to breathe even with the probe in your stomach.
The ultrasound proble sends signals back to the scanner which makes very detailed high-resolution pictures of the heart. The ability to get close to the heart generates very good pictures of the valves of the heart and the atria (top chambers of the heart).
This procedure is usually painless and usually lasts for around 20 minutes. However, you may feel some discomfort when the ultrasound probe is sent into your oesophagus. Because you have had sedation, you may not remember the procedure. You will need someone to take you home afterwards and will need to not eat or drink for a short period afterwards.
The doctor doing the procedure will talk to you at another appointment about the findings as you may be slightly drowsy.
This is a safe procedure and the risks are low. You may cough and have feel an uncomfortable sensation in your throat during the procedure. Sometimes your throat may feel sore for a few days afterwards. The risks of a serious problem are usually low (<1%) but include rhythm problems, breathing problems, chest pain or bleeding. Very rarely there can be damage to the oesophagus (tube which takes food from the mouth to the stomach) and although this can be serious and require surgery, it is very rare (around 1 in 10,000).
A transoesophageal echocardiogram should be peformed and interpreted by expert Consultant Cardiologists. Our expert Consultant Cardiologists are available for consultation on any day of the week and weekends as well.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
020 31372439