As healthcare professionals, you might have to prescribe or carry a transoesophageal echocardiography) to your patients. Today, we at PRS Healthcare, as experts in the repair of TEO probes, would like to share some tips you can give your patients, so that this exam goes smoothly.
Before the TEO
The patient must fast before the exam : you shouldn’t drink nor eat for six hours at least before having the transoesophageal echocardiography. Smoking is also strictly prohibited, since the fumes can blur the ultrasound images.
If you have to follow a prescription which requires taking pills with water, you should ask the doctors first. And don’t forget to mention any allergies, respiratory problems or swallowing problems.
Finally, before the exam, don’t forget to take off any dental prosthesis you may have.
After the transoesophageal echocardiography
If there are some rules to follow before dealing with a TEO probe, what happens next requires some knowledge and organisation too.
Usually, after being under observation for about an hour, you can go home. However, you should keep fasting for two more hours : No eating, no drinking and no smoking. Furthermore, you shouldn’t take your usual medication, unless the doctors tell you so.
And finally, and for 8hours after the end of the exam, you can’t drive or do anything which requires attention. Get some rest !
What about side-effects ?
Let’s face it, having a TEO probe down your throat is not pleasant. But apart from that uncomfortable feeling, the side-effects of a transoesophageal echocardiography are extremely rare and mild. For example, there can be small mucosal lesions in your pharynx or in your oesophagus. Spasms of the larynx and/or arrhythmia may also occur and will spontaneously disappear at the end of the exam.
And if you are very nervous, keep in mind that the risk of perforation is extremely small : it’s about one exam out of 10 000.
