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How Safe Is The Transesophageal Echo Test Procedure?
Question: What are the risks involved in the TEE test to determine if I am a candidate for a minimally invasive surgery to address mitral valve leakage? I was a born with a congenital heart defect in 1936 and when I was seven I experienced rheumatic fever damage to two valves: left ventricle and aorta. In 1981 I had open heart surgery. I have had no real problems until November 2014. I have been told that I have congestive heart failure due to a new valve problem: mitral and also an irregular heart rhythm.
Brief Answer:
It's pretty safe procedure
Detailed Answer:
dear thanks for query.
TEE is pretty safe procedure. though it has few complications which are rarely described. It can cause some throat discomfort, vomiting sensation. very rarely and especially unheard of today's machines, perforations of oesophagus, chest infection and aspirations, transient slowing of heart.
all are extremely rare and you don't have to be worried. can go ahead with procedure.
It's pretty safe procedure
Detailed Answer:
dear thanks for query.
TEE is pretty safe procedure. though it has few complications which are rarely described. It can cause some throat discomfort, vomiting sensation. very rarely and especially unheard of today's machines, perforations of oesophagus, chest infection and aspirations, transient slowing of heart.
all are extremely rare and you don't have to be worried. can go ahead with procedure.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for this information. Exactly what will the test results show?
If I turn out to be a candidate for the minimally invasive procedure to do repair on my mitral valve, what are the pros and cons of that procedure? I am told the valve leakage is severe. Is the procedure preferable to the open heart surgery to address the valve problem and if so, why?
Thank you.
If I turn out to be a candidate for the minimally invasive procedure to do repair on my mitral valve, what are the pros and cons of that procedure? I am told the valve leakage is severe. Is the procedure preferable to the open heart surgery to address the valve problem and if so, why?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Whether valve is repairable or no
Detailed Answer:
TEE will show if valve can be repaired or not based on mechanism, location of leak and exact structure of valves. If valve can be repaired, that's best possible treatment as it more curative than replacement and more natural. After repair if heart beat is regular, you wouldn't need life long blood thinners. Also there are some unique problems with mechanical valves such as valve thrombosis, degeneration and displacement which are not there with repair. only flip side is even when initial plan is repair after TEE sometime replacement may become necessary and late recurrence needing replacement. but everything taken into account, if repair can be done, that is preferred strategy.
Whether valve is repairable or no
Detailed Answer:
TEE will show if valve can be repaired or not based on mechanism, location of leak and exact structure of valves. If valve can be repaired, that's best possible treatment as it more curative than replacement and more natural. After repair if heart beat is regular, you wouldn't need life long blood thinners. Also there are some unique problems with mechanical valves such as valve thrombosis, degeneration and displacement which are not there with repair. only flip side is even when initial plan is repair after TEE sometime replacement may become necessary and late recurrence needing replacement. but everything taken into account, if repair can be done, that is preferred strategy.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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