Transthoracic echocardiogram

[Terry5757]

I'm having a transthoracic echocardiogram on 31st august 2023.does anyone know what this involves and what could be the solution to me having AF and a stroke not do long ago.i had an MRI in hospital they also found an AVM in the brain.i know what this is.but has anyone ever had an AVM thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Had several over the years and another booked late September.

Shirt off and lay on your side, they cover your chest in gel and use a sonic device to scan your heart during which time they check all the valves for any leakage (they always leak a bit) measure the various sizes of your atria and ventricles including the thickness of the walls and check your ejection fraction which is how well the heart is pumping. You may hear odd noises and gurgles as they do this.

Then you whipe off the gell ,put your shirt on and go home. A report is then prepared for the doctor who ordered it and eventually you might find out what it says. Sometimes you can ask for a copy but unless you know what to look at probably a bad idea as most people read the worst possible outcome in to anything.

AF is an irregulaar heart beat and is well known as a cause of stroke since blood can pool in the heart and form clots which then go to the brain. AF increases stroke risk five fold . Many people know they have AF and are treated with drugs to control it and anticoagulants for stroke prevention but some are asymptomatic and unaware till the stroke hits.

Ask any questions and we will try to help.

[Terry5757 in reply to BobD]

Hi bobd do you know anything about AVM in the brain

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Terry5757]

No.

[Mike11]

It's nothing to worry about - it's all external to the body. Conversely a transesophageal echocardiogram is horrible. They anethetise the back of your throat then put the ultrasound imager down your throat and you will have a sore throat for about a week.

[mav7 in reply to Mike11]

a transesophageal echocardiogram is horrible.....you will have a sore throat for about a week.

With due respect, not always Mike. Many have no side effects.

Regardless, the TEE provides an excellent, thorough condition of your heart.

The "juice is worth the squeeze".

.

[Mike11 in reply to mav7]

Well maybe some people don't, but when I mentioned it to the nurse she said "everybody gets that, but the doctor doesn't like mentioning it beforehand"

[Ducky2003 in reply to Mike11]

Mine was horrendous. Had to stop sedation after a couple of minutes as my oxygen sats dropped into the 70s.Give me a transthoracic over tranoesophageal any day.

[Ducky2003 in reply to mav7]

I vowed never to have another.

[Mike11 in reply to Ducky2003]

Same here. My SATs dropped but consultant told the guy doing it it was ok. I didn't read the appointment letter carefully as I have normal echocardiograms every 3-6 months, so it was only on the night before that I realised it was different. Never again.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Mike11]

I did know what was coming as surgeon had explained. It. Then found out they could do it with an MRI so when they wanted ti check the valve again, I told them I wanted the MRI instead. I get a bit claustrophobic and the MRI took about an hour but was still better than the TOE.

[Terry5757 in reply to Mike11]

Well if they start sticking stuff down my throat I'm going to walk out

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome

what could be the solution to me having AF and a stroke not do long ago.

I have no knowledge of AVM but I think it’s important to distinguish between the two conditions and as to which condition is believed to have caused your stroke as having looked it up, AVM can also cause one sided paralysis.

There is no solution to having AF but there are treatments with variable results which are dependant upon the individual, the type of AF - paroxysmal = comes and goes, persistent = constant for more than 7 days and how long it has existed.

The echocardiogram will give the doctor’s a good idea of the state of your heart structure and depending upon that, what sorts of treatments may be indicated and those contraindicated.

May I suggest that you go to the AFA website and read up on AF and it’s treatments so you have information so you can ask your consultant about relevant treatments for you. First line treatment is anticoagulants to prevent further strokes but with other conditions there may need to be a much more detailed assessment as any and all treatments carry a degree of risk so benefits must outweigh the risks.

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Hope that helps.