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A Transoesophageal Echocardiogram is a specialised echo performed under sedation. Images of the heart are taken from an endoscopy probe in the oesophagus ("food pipe"). This provides a very detailed look at heart structures not easily seen by Transthoracic Echocardiogram.

PREPARATION

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. (A small mouthful of water for any usual medications you need to take before the test is ok). Please check with your doctor whether you should take or withhold medications for diabetes. As a light sedative is used, you need to have a family member or friend to drive you home after the test.

TEST LENGTH

Allow 2 to 3 hours for your TEE appointment.

MEDICARE REBATE AVAILABLE

Yes

PROCEDURE

On arrival, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire. A hospital gown will be made available for you to change into and one of our cardiac technicians will assist you in getting comfortable on a bed. They will then measure your resting heart rate and blood pressure.

A Cardiologist will administer a light sedative into your arm which will make you feel drowsy. The back of your throat will be sprayed with a local anaesthetic to ensure you do not suffer any discomfort when inserting the probe into the oesophagus. Our Cardiologist and and cardiac technician will then assist you onto your left side for the TEE.

The Cardiologist will make a detailed examination of your heart which will take about 45 minutes. Due to the sedative most patients do not remember much of the procedure.

After the examination we will assist you to wake up, get dressed and advise family or friends that your test is complete. Once you are dressed we will ask you to remain in the comfort of our clinic for another 15-30 minutes.

Remember - You will not be allowed to drive after this procedure.

RESULTS

You do not need to wait for the report or any films, videos or CDs. The report is usually sent to your referring doctor within 24-48 hours. The data is digitally stored to enable precise comparisons should you require future tests.