Going for TOE. (Transoesophageal Echocardiogram)

[I-a-n-]

Hello lovely people. Newb here. Going for a Transoesophageal Echocardiogram nect week after being diagnosed with A flutter and given Apixiban and Bisoprolol. 51 yo male, fit, no other symptoms other than palps and ectopics. Just wanted to hear from anybody else who's had this test, how it went, what they were looking for, what they found etc. Best wishes.

[Jalia]

I've had a few of these. I can't pretend it's the most pleasant of experiences but just tell yourself how vital it is to test for clots etc.

Mine were done prior to RF ablations. Normally the throat will be sprayed with a numbing solution first, tastes rather like bitter banana! The probe should then be passed down very quickly and over in no time at all. The thought of this is worse than the actual procedure!

Hope this helps

[I-a-n- in reply to Jalia]

Hi Jalia. Thank you for your reply. Yes, they said they "think there may be a clot" but are unsure. My GP said it's more likely to be endocarditis as he saw this a lot during his cardiology work in hospital. This can trigger AF/AFib. We shall wait and see what they find. I'm so anxious about it though. x

[Jalia in reply to I-a-n-]

I understand your anxiety. I was more worried about the TOE than the actual ablation. Are you more concerned about the actual procedure or what will be found ?

In the meantime do have a look at the very helpful literature available on the AF Association website . Ask any questions you like on this forum, there are lots of helpful members.

[I-a-n-]

More worried about what they may find and to what extent, if any, my heart is damaged. Right now things are worrying. My only comfort is that I've not had any other symptoms. Feel like I have so many questions at this stage.. Why is this happening to me? Do I have heart disease? Will it get worse? Etc etc. Too much knowledge from across the internet and too many what ifs. I'll look at the literature you suggested. Thank you.

[Big-Ed]

Hi I-a-n- ,Yeah, I had a T.O.E and, as in the other reply you have had, it's not the most pleasant but by no means the worst procedure either. It is probably the more negative perception of it that is not helpful that's all. I am a bit of an over-thinker but when I had it done I thought 'that was a bit of a breeze'.

Unless you already know the device is just a tube (thin-ish) with an echo device at the tip that the cardiologist uses to obtain far clearer images via the oesophagus rather than externally with an echocardiograph, which are very grainy to say the least.

I believe they can take measurements and locate any problem areas far better by this method of non-invasive surgery. You lie on your side during the T.O.E which is not a problem at all and it wasn't carried out in full theatre if that is was you are expecting - a small cardiology room for mine.

You will probably be offered a throat numbing spray and/or a sedative, which by all accounts can make the patient very drowsy and less responsive to the gag reflex; you would need an hour or two of observation afterwards if you have the sedative. I didn't bother with the sedative and it was fine.

They do want patients to turn up to the clinic several hours before hand so they can make sure the patient is settled and/or sedated if that is what preferred.

I can't comment on your symptoms or likely problem (if any) but it seems you are understandably anxious about the cause. I wouldn't want you to amplify any anxiety by thinking the T.O.E procedure is too awful to go through because it is not.

Try not to worry to much. . . . . . . mild anxiety is natural. It is an imaging procedure that is going to help you, not make things worse.

As far as any problem might be concerned - I believe these cardiology departments are staffed by people who know exactly what they are doing and we are all in capable hands.

I had a rather large hole (28mm which evidently didn't close naturally at birth) between my atria which they closed with a device by keyhole surgery. I was naturally concerned about the procedures I required but as it turned out I had little need to be - the teams are excellent.

Best Wishes, Ed.

[I-a-n-]

Thanks Ed for taking the time to reply. Didn't know the sedation is optional.. I'd not go for it to save on taxis there and back! But my team sound like I'm getting it anyway so taxi booked. Procedure sounds less scary thank you again.

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Welcome to the Forum ! I am sure all the members will make you feel welcome and offer some great advice. If you would like any support or help? please visit the Arrhythmia Alliance website heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/... - you will find a wealth of information in our patient resources and video library. You are also invited to join us for our HRC2021 Virtual Patients Day.