An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create pictures of your child’s heart. The test can help diagnose defects of the heart that are present at birth since the picture is more detailed than a regular x-ray. An echocardiogram does not expose children to radiation.
A doctor may perform a trans-esophageal echocardiogram if your child has signs of heart problems including shortness of breath, poor growth, leg swelling, heart murmur, bluish color around the lips when crying, chest pains, unexplained fever, or germs growing in a blood culture test.
The echocardiogram can help detect:
- Abnormal heart valves
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Birth defects of the heart
- Inflammation (pericarditis) or fluid in the sac around the heart (pericardial effusion)
- Infection on or around the heart valves
- High blood pressure in the blood vessels to the lungs
- How well the heart can pump
- Source of a blood clot after a stroke or TIA
How the Test is Performed
Your child’s health care provider may perform this test in a hospital as an outpatient procedure. Your child will be sedated and lying on his or her back.
A specialist will manage your child’s sedation and breathing during the test, and a cardiologist will interpret the results. The test lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The sedation process may take between 2 and 3 hours.
- The sonographer will numb the back of your child’s throat and insert a small tube into the child’s esophagus. The end of the tube contains a device to send out sound waves.
- The sound waves reflect off the structures in the heart and are displayed on a screen as images of the heart and blood vessels.
- Birth defects of the heart
- The esophagus is right behind the heart, so this method helps get clear, concise pictures.
- Infection on or around the heart valves
How to Prepare for the Test
- Do not allow your child to eat or drink anything before the test.
- Explain the test in detail to older children so they understand that they should remain still during the test.
How the Test will Feel
- Your child will have to wear a hospital gown and lie flat on the exam table.
- The doctor will place electrodes on your child’s chest to monitor the heartbeat.
- Technicians may place an IV in your child’s arm for medicine.
- The ultrasound probe placed into the esophagus may cause some throat discomfort and soreness, which is temporary.
Normal Results
A normal result means that there are no defects in the heart valves or chambers and there is normal heart wall movement.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An abnormal echocardiogram in a child can mean many things. Some abnormal findings are very minor and do not pose major risks. Others are signs of serious heart disease. The cardiologist may order more tests. o talk about the results of the echocardiogram with your child’s provider.
Risks
TEE is an invasive procedure, so there may be some risks associated with the test. Your provider will talk to you about all the risks to help put your mind at ease.