safety of TEE

[tsvasan75]

My Mother is presently 57 years old, underwent Aortic Valve Replacement in 1994 with (No.20 Medtronic Hall Valve in Aortic Position).
So far she was normal, and last month her echo showed Aortic Stenosis with aortic regurgitation - valvular(stage 1)
Medications:
Acitrome (Anticoagulants) and Hypertension control tablets

Will it be advisable to go for a TEE to confirm things.
How far is TEE safe

Please help
Thanks
T. Srinivasan

 

[Praline]

About TEE

About TEE

I am 65 and had OHS last January. My valve problem was diagnosed with an echo cardiogram and then confirmed with a TEE. I had no problem with the TEE except a sore throat the next day. I have not heard of anyone having major problem from this test.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The TEE involves placing an ultrasonic transducer down the throat / esophagus until it is directly behind the heart.
Many people prefer to be heavily sedated so that they are NOT aware of the tube going down their throat. The Nurse will spray the back of the throat with some nasty tasting anti-gag medicine which they will then have the patient swallow. That's the worst part of the whole procedure.

This is a rather straight forward procedure with low risk.
As always, choose a Doctor with EXPERIENCE and all should go well.

I had NO problems with 2 TEE's.

One possible complication would be if there is a constriction in the esophagus. These usually result from GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease which allows stomach acid to push up through the esophageal sphincter, resulting in Heart Burn (not literally, just the feeling of a burning sensation in the middle of the chest).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Arlyss]

Yes, TEE is Needed to See What is Causing the Problem

Yes, TEE is Needed to See What is Causing the Problem

Yes, when the valve is showing signs of problems such as this, a TEE is needed to see what is happening. (A "regular" echo, done through the chest wall, will not show enough detail.)

Here are two references from the medical literature regarding this type of valve, the formation of strands on it, and strokes. These are only the abstracts, but your Mother's doctors should be able to get the full articles. I encourage you to discuss these papers with your Mother's doctors. Scar tissue (called pannus) growth on a valve is more familiar, but the strands should be looked for also.

This first reference is about a man with a Medtronic Hall valve who had several strokes
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/..._uids=9692533&query_hl=35&itool=pubmed_docsum

This second reference is about a woman who also had this valve and developed strands. The abstract does not give the detail, but the full paper is very descriptive.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...uids=12514645&query_hl=38&itool=pubmed_docsum

Both of the patients described in the papers above had their Medtronic Hall valves replaced.

You will note from my signature below that my husband had a stroke due to strand formation on his mechanical valve. Please be sure the TEE images are read carefully, looking for strands as well as other tissue overgrowth that may be causing the stenosis (restricting the blood flow). I hope your Mother has the TEE soon! Because of what happened to my husband, I am very concerned about your Mother. It is very possible that this valve needs to be replaced, and if so, I hope it can be done in time to prevent any harm to your Mother.

Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[Buckeye in MI]

Hi,

Well, this test I do know about...the TEE. I had one a couple of months ago and it was pretty easy. The spray in the throat was the worst part, I am thinking bananas as a taste! I woke up a little sooner than I should have so I do remember the tube coming out but it was no big deal. Really it was noneventful. The good thing about this test was that it really helped me out. My cardio had it done to further look into the regurgitation of my mitral valve and it actually showed I was in better shape than my echo showed so instead of me scheduling valve repair I am on 6 month echos. I agree, be sure to have it done by someone who has done lots of them. I am thankful for the test, I think it is a good one. Good luck to you Mom! She'll get through it fine.

Jane

 

[PegB]

Don't worry about any complications form the TEE. It's a very easy procedure, and it is so much more informative than a regular echo.They had me so knocked out that I didn't even remember the throat spray, but I was awake the minute they were finished and completely lucid. Must be that Versed/Valium mix they use. And as Jane just said, it can also help them see that maybe things are better than they were expecting.