Transoesophageal echo or “TOE” is a highly specialised heart ultrasound performed via a probe inserted into the stomach / oesophagus. The test is performed with an anaesthetist who will provide sedation – not a “general anaesthetic” but enough medication to make you sleepy and not remember the test itself.
How to Prepare
Do not having anything to eat or drink (unless to take medication) for at least 6 hours prior to the test.
Please take all regular medications (including blood thinners) including the morning of the test with a small sip of water.
You will need someone to pick you up after the test and to be with you for the rest of that day / evening.
How Long Does It Take?
Total time in the hospital is in the order of 2-3 hours which includes preparation time and recovery time. The “TOE” itself usually takes about 20 minutes, however, depends on the complexity of the study being performed.
Why Do We Do It?
A “TOE” is performed only by cardiologists specialised in cardiac imaging. The benefit of a TOE as opposed to a standard cardiac echo performed via the chest wall is that the ultrasound does not have to penetrate the chest structures and lungs to see the heart – hence the detail of the image via TOE is greater. TOE is most commonly used to precisely image the heart valves and to look for clot in certain heart chambers.
Potential Complications
Major complications including perforation of the oesophagus are extremely rare (in the order of 1:10,000). The most common issue is a sore throat which should settle over the next 48 hours. Occasionally people can experience side effects of the anaesthetic medications.