What to expect with a TEE procedure?

Is a TEE procedure required pre ablation with everyone and what exactly should we expect?

No, it's not required pre-ablation. A TEE is a pretty simple procedure with no discomfort whatsoever when done under general anesthesia, which is common practice in the US. They start an IV, knock you out with propofol, and you wake up 20 minutes later. That's it. Done. However, some places don't use anesthesia and just have you gargle a liquid that numbers the throat. This is an uncomfortable procedure because what they actually do is stick an ultrasound wand down your throat all the way to the level of your heart. Personally, I would never agree to such a procedure.

Quote
Carey
No, it's not required pre-ablation. A TEE is a pretty simple procedure with no discomfort whatsoever when done under general anesthesia, which is common practice in the US. They start an IV, knock you out with propofol, and you wake up 20 minutes later. That's it. Done. However, some places don't use anesthesia and just have you gargle a liquid that numbers the throat. This is an uncomfortable procedure because what they actually do is stick an ultrasound wand down your throat all the way to the level of your heart. Personally, I would never agree to such a procedure.

I've had both types. I would never agree to the latter again unless it was under circumstances needed to save my life.

At TCAI, from a patient's perspective, it's a trivial procedure. After one, I got up and walked out and through the neighborhood to Trudy's Mexican for breakfast.

I had one with conscious sedation—versed and fentanyl—and I don’t remember a thing except having my throat sprayed with some version of lidocaine and having something strapped around my face to position the probe in my mouth. So no pain, no anxiety, just a sore throat for a few hours. Also walked out, disc in hand, with no after effects.

I've had two TEE's. Neither one was upsetting or harmful. I'd have no issue doing it again if necessary.

I first read of this procedure in detail around 2007 by an English guy who had had an ablation in India because it was so much cheaper and he could have the ablation at only a few weeks notice. He describe the TEE as like some one trying to put an elephants trunk down his throat and by following in his footsteps to India myself I can fully endorse that description. Off memory I think I had to get a TEE done before travelling to Bordeaux for ablation No. 2 as if they did the TEE on my arrival they may have had to cancel the ablation if anything untoward was found. Note: As I recall the ablation theater in the Indian Hospital looked like the inside of a spaceship, fabulous state of the art equipment etc. By comparison I described on this BB back then - no disrespect intended - that the theater in Bordeaux looked like the inside of a wharehouse. Anyone interested in the hospital it is/was called Escorts Hospital in New Delhi with extremely friendly staff, treated like a superstar. Did not cure the Afib but I always said it stopped my Atrial Flutter and reduced my AF burden by 80% i.e. if I did not do any running I was more or less afib free. Anyone interested in Escorts only needs to Google... Anthony Bestwick Escorts Hospital (just tried now) to get an interesting success story. I also have an Escorts story somewhere in the BB archives but also just found the same story on google ….Barry Gordon - A-Fib Patient Story; Ablation at New Delhi, India

Cheers.
Barry G.

Witnessed a patient getting the "elephant's trunk" TEE 13 years ago. Extremely uncomfortable for the patient... and seriously difficult for me to watch!

Had the TEE done on me while under anesthesia... piece of cake!

/L

After my ablation in Texas I had my followup TEE at Montifiore here in the Bronx, they tried for 20 mins to SHOVE that elephant trunk down my throat...Horrible!
They claimed no anesthesiologist was on duty! The next followup I made sure Dr Di Biase scheduled it with the use of propofol, piece of cake.

McHale

Stories like these are why I would never agree to a TEE without anesthesia.

I have had several TEEs done. My local doctor sedates you and there is no pain at all. I had a TEE at St. David's that went sour. I watched the tech talking on his phone and then I remember waking up with the worst pain in my throat. Obviously the dude did not know what he was doing. My throat was sore for two weeks. He rammed the probe in my throat and drew blood. When I woke up and complained how much my throat hurt the nursed upped the drug in my IV. It was like a headrush.