Discharge advice for patients following a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

A transoesophageal echocardiography, or TOE, takes detailed pictures of your heart from your oesophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), which lies behind your heart.

This test is used to get closer and more defined images of the heart as it can detect things that are not as easy to see with a transthoracic echo which looks from the outside of the chest.

A tube is put down your throat in order to take the pictures of your heart.

You may have a sore throat afterwards. Take paracetamol if you need to.

Please refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol for the rest of the day after this procedure.

If you had sedation, you must not drive a car, sign a legal document, or operate machinery for 24 hours following the procedure.

A report will be sent to your GP. Should the hospital doctor need to see you an appointment will be sent to you by post.

Please help yourself to any of the information booklets available in the day case unit, and feel free to chat to your nurse about any concerns you may have or any health education you feel you may benefit from.

If you have any concerns specific to your cardiac procedure during your first week at home, please call the Cardiac Care Unit.

Telephone number: 01273 696955, extension: 4484. You can call this number any time.

For more general concerns, please speak to your GP.

We recognise that coming to hospital can sometimes be difficult and we are here to help, should you need it.

If you have any issues or concerns about your care it is always best to speak initially to the person in charge of the ward or department. If you’re not happy with their response, please do get in touch with PALS.

Disclaimer

The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.