A swallow echo is a special ultrasound examination of the heart. The ultrasound probe is placed in the oesophagus and from there the heart, which is located directly in front of it, is sounded. The procedure is also known as transesophageal echocardiography, or TEE for short.
In contrast to alternative ultrasound examination via the thorax (transthoracic echocardiography = TTE), the structure and function of the heart can be depicted and assessed much better with swallow echo, since there are no disturbing structures such as lungs or ribs in the examination field. The examination is often performed under a light sedation (twilight anesthesia). However, this is not absolutely necessary.
Indications: When do you do a swallow echo?
A swallow echo is used in the diagnosis of various diseases of the heart.
- These include diseases of the heart valves. A distinction is made between valve closure disorders (insufficiency) and narrowing (stenosis).
Whether one of these disorders is present or not is best investigated by means of a swallow echo.
- In some cases, an inflammation of the inner wall of the heart (endocarditis) can also be detected.
- Congenital heart defects such as a hole in the heart septum can also be best detected by this examination.
- TEE is also used to detect or exclude blood clots within the heart. This is important, for example, in cardiac arrhythmias that are to be remedied by an electrical current delivery (cardioversion). There is always an indication for a swallow echo before such a measure is taken. Only if no blood clots can be detected in the heart may the intervention be performed, as otherwise the blood clots may be carried over. This could possibly result in a stroke.
- Other indications for swallow echo are during check-ups, for example after the installation of an artificial heart valve, as well as in the case that a previously performed ultrasound examination through the chest did not allow for a sufficient evaluation of the heart.
- In addition to the heart, the aorta can also be assessed in TEE, so that a possible aneurysm is a further indication for the swallowing echo.
All articles in this series:
