You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About Us
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Working with Our Community
Calendar of Events
Visitor Information
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Specialties & Services
Emergency Visit
Clinic Visit
Hospital Stay
E-Services
Research & Innovation
About Research Office
Research Publications
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Professional Development
Clinical Job Shadowing
GP Education
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Career Choices
Our Healthcare Professionals
Sponsorships
Job Opportunities
Contact Us
Giving
Why Give
Impactful Giving
What's Happening
Make a Gift
Gratitude Pool of Donors
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Find Your Medicine
Patient Resources
Specialties & Services
Emergency Visit
Clinic Visit
Back to Home
SKH Telemedicine
Patient Classification
Make, Change or Cancel an Appointment
Clinic Locations
Collecting Your Medications
Medication Delivery Service
Follow-up Appointment
Outpatient Consultation Charges
Payment Options
Hospital Stay
Back to Home
Preparing for Admission
Estimate Your Hospital Bill
Type of Wards
Your Stay With Us
Inpatient Charges
Preparing for Surgery & Anaesthesia
Day Surgery
Same Day Admission
Preparing for Colonoscopy
Advance Care Planning
Who Can Be My Voice
Simple Steps to ACP
Contacts for ACP
ACP Frequently Asked Questions
Going Home After Discharge
Medisave
MediShield Life
Request for Medical Report
Ward Virtual Tour
Bills & Payments
E-Services
Back to Home
Bills and Payment
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About Us
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
Hospital Overview
Our Story
Vanda SKH
Key Milestones
Awards & Achievements
Meet Our Leaders
Whistle-blowing Policy
Sengkang Community Hospital
Newsroom
News Release
News Articles
SKOOP
Working with Our Community
Volunteer Opportunities
Community Health Posts (CHP)
Calendar of Events
Visitor Information
Personal Data Protection Act
Getting to SKH
Car Park Information
Amenities
Contact Us
Appointments
Check Fake News
Feedback & Compliments
Retail Opportunities
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Conditions & Treatments
Find Your Medicine
Patient Resources
Specialties & Services
Emergency Visit
Clinic Visit
SKH Telemedicine
Patient Classification
Make, Change or Cancel an Appointment
Clinic Locations
Collecting Your Medications
Medication Delivery Service
Follow-up Appointment
Outpatient Consultation Charges
Payment Options
Hospital Stay
Preparing for Admission
Preparing for Surgery & Anaesthesia
Preparing for Colonoscopy
Advance Care Planning
Going Home After Discharge
Ward Virtual Tour
Bills & Payments
E-Services
Bills and Payment
Research & Innovation
Back to Home
About Research Office
Research Publications
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Back to Home
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Professional Development
Clinical Job Shadowing
GP Education
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Career Choices
Employee Value Proposition
Employee Benefits
Our Healthcare Professionals
Doctors
Nurses
Allied Health Professionals
Management and Administration
Ancillary and Support
Sponsorships
Healthcare Scholarships
SKH Sponsorship Application
Job Opportunities
Contact Us
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
Impactful Giving
What's Happening
Make a Gift
Gratitude Pool of Donors
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
>
Other Information
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Symptoms
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - How to prevent?
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Causes and Risk Factors
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Diagnosis
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Treatments
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Preparing for surgery
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Post-surgery care
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) - Other Information
What are the risks and complications of TEE?
As this is a semi-invasive procedure, it carries a very small risk of complications similar to that of endoscopy or gastroscopy (endoscopic examination of the food passage or stomach done by the gastroenterologist). Major complications from this test are very rare. Qualified and specially trained doctors will perform this procedure. You may experience a slight sore throat after the procedure.
Please be reassured that major complications are very rare and transoesophageal echocardiography is only performed by qualified and specially trained doctors. The small risk of complications should be weighed against the benefit of diagnostic information that will help guide treatment.
Possible complications for TEE include:
Sore mouth and throat (2%)
Hoarseness (10%)
Airway spasm / difficulty in breathing (<1%)
Bleeding in mouth and throat (<1%)
Dental injury (0.1%)
Heart rhythm abnormality (0.3%)
Injury to oesophagus (0.03%)
Death (0.02%)
As the test is performed on patients with suspected intra-cardiac blood clot or mass, or in patients with impaired heart function, the possible adverse events may also include
heart failure
, acute
myocardial infarction
and stroke.
If you have any difficulty in swallowing or any neck problem, please inform the nurse or doctor before the test. Please also highlight to the nurse or doctor if you are taking any blood thinner, such as warfarin or other new oral anticoagulant.
If you are not keen for this procedure, you will need to discuss with your doctor in your next clinic visit. Other form of imaging tests may involve a
computed tomography (CT)
scan or a
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
.
Can I undergo the test if I am not feeling well?
If you are feeling unwell because of fever, running nose or acute illness, you should not proceed with the procedure. Please call the NHCS Call Centre at
+65 6704 2000
to reschedule the test.
Preparations before the test
Fasting is required for this test. No food and drinks (including water) at least 6 hours before the test. This is to avoid vomiting which may sometimes occur during the procedure. However, brushing of teeth is allowed.
You may need to stop taking your medications prior to the test. If you are unsure which medication needs to be stopped, please consult your doctor.
Informed consent prior to the procedure is required. For patients below 21 years old, please be accompanied by a parent for consent taking.
An adult should accompany you as you might be sedated for the procedure. No alcoholic drinks, operation of machinery or driving should be carried out within 24 hours after the procedure, due to administration of sedatives.
Please inform the Cardiac Physiologist/Technologist if you have dentures (false teeth) so that they can be removed prior to the procedure.
How is the test done?
Before the procedure starts, a doctor will need you to sign an informed consent and ask you a few routine questions to rule out any contraindications to the procedure, i.e. whether it is advisable for you to undergo the test. Thereafter, an intravenous line will be placed on your hand for any injection of medication. A local anaesthetic will be sprayed into your oral cavity (throat), or you may be asked to swallow an anaesthetic gel in order to minimise any discomfort. You will then be asked to lie on your side and a mouthpiece will be placed between your teeth to prevent you from biting the TEE probe accidentally.
During introduction of the TEE probe, you may experience some mild discomfort in your throat. You may help to minimise this discomfort by cooperating with the doctor, by swallowing when asked to do so. Try to relax and breathe normally. Saliva may accumulate in your mouth; you may let it drip into a small receiver placed next to your mouth.
The test usually takes between 5 and 20 minutes, excluding the preparation time. After the examination, you will be observed for another 10 to 15 minutes before you can go home. You will be observed longer if you have been given sedation. Please inform the doctor if you experience any pain or unusual discomfort in the chest or throat. You may resume eating after the anaesthetic effect in the throat has worn off, which usually takes about half an hour.
Antibiotics may need to be given before the procedure if you have a prosthetic valve or previous history of infection of the heart. Please let the doctor know if you are allergic to any particular antibiotics.
What can I expect after the procedure?
You will be monitored for some time after the procedure if you do not feel well. If the symptoms persist, you may be admitted for observation. If the test turns out to be very abnormal, you may also be admitted for further management after discussion with your doctor.
Display Entire Article +
Overview
Tags:
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD),
Echocardiogram,
Valvular Heart Disease
Article contributed by
Department of Cardiology
,
National Heart Centre Singapore
;
NHCS Cardiology @ SKH
,
Sengkang General Hospital
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[{"SHPageId":"1160","BodyPart":"#Heart#","BodyPartLst":["heart"],"Institution":null,"SHDoctorConditionsTreatments":"#Echocardiogram#, #Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)#, #Stress Echocardiogram#, #Cardiovascular Disease#, #Chest Pain#","SHDoctorConditionsTreatmentsLst":["echocardiogram","transoesophageal echocardiogram (tee)","stress echocardiogram","cardiovascular disease","chest pain"],"SHDoctorAwards":null,"SHDoctorAwardsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgDisp":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstText":"9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0|6a115828-2721-4036-9153-7d0eb7b6303f;Consultant|6a115828-2721-4036-9153-7d0eb7b6303f;9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0|2db248c4-2112-4fcf-a07d-d2fdf93f21ce;Consultant|2db248c4-2112-4fcf-a07d-d2fdf93f21ce;","ListSHDoctorClinicalDesgInst":[{"ClinicalDesgName":"Consultant","ClinicalDesgId":"9b7b3341-8e0f-48aa-8d37-d46b0085d6c0","ClinicalDesgInst":"Sengkang General Hospital","ClinicalDesgInstId":"2db248c4-2112-4fcf-a07d-d2fdf93f21ce"}],"ListSHDoctorClinicalDesg":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesgInstFirst":"Consultant","SHDoctorAltDesgDisp":"","SHDoctorEducation":null,"SHDoctorEducationFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfile":null,"SHDoctorProfileFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchInterests":"","SHDoctorResearchInterestsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrials":null,"SHDoctorResearchTrialsFullHtml":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointments":null,"SHDoctorProfAppointmentsFullHtml":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eConsultant, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eClinical Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e","SHDoctorPublications":null,"SHDoctorPublicationsFullHtml":null,"SHQualification":null,"SHQualificationFullHTML":"\u003cp\u003eMBBS (Malaya), MRCP(UK)\u003c/p\u003e","SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoRender":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/see-chai-keat-portrait.jpg","SHDoctorThumbnailPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/thumbnail-photos/see-chai-keat-thumbnail.jpg","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"Adj Asst Prof See Chai Keat from National Heart Centre Singapore","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":0},"SHDoctorThumbnailPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/thumbnail-photos/see-chai-keat-thumbnail.jpg","Description":"Adj Asst Prof See Chai Keat from National Heart Centre Singapore"},"SHDoctorPortraitPhoto":{"ImageUrl":"/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/see-chai-keat-portrait.jpg","Hyperlink":"","OpenHyperlinkInNewWindow":false,"Alignment":"","AlternateText":"Adj Asst Prof See Chai Keat from National Heart Centre Singapore","BorderWidth":0,"Height":0,"HorizontalSpacing":0,"VerticalSpacing":0,"Width":0},"SHDoctorPortraitPhotoUrl":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/sites/shcommonassets/Assets/doctors/portrait-photos/see-chai-keat-portrait.jpg","Description":"Adj Asst Prof See Chai Keat from National Heart Centre Singapore"},"Email":"","SHDoctorRole":"Doctor;#","SHDoctorSalutation":"Clin Asst Prof","SHDoctorFirstName":"Chai Keat","SHDoctorLastName":"See","SHDoctorOtherName":"","SHDoctorHideProfile":false,"SHDoctorPrimarySpecialty":"Cardiology","SHDepartmentLink":null,"SHSpecialtyLink":null,"SHSubSpecialtyLink":null,"ListDoctorAcademic":null,"ListDoctorClinical":[{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"1160","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"Sengkang General Hospital","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SKH-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"https://www.skh.com.sg/","Description":"https://www.skh.com.sg/"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"NHCS Cardiology @ SKH","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":null,"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"see-chai-keat","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":2},{"SHDoctorClinAppPageItemId":"1160","SHDoctorCorporateDesg":"","SHDoctorClinicalAltDesgText":null,"SHDoctorClinicalDesg":"Consultant","SHDoctorClinicalInst":"National Heart Centre Singapore","SHDoctorClinicalInstLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalInstUrl":{"Url":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDept":"Department of Cardiology","SHDoctorClinicalDeptLogo":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDoctorClinicalDeptUrl":{"Url":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiology/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiology/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHDoctorClnicApptsFURL":"see-chai-keat","SHDoctorClinicalDisplayOrder":1}],"ListDoctorSpecialty":[{"SHSpecialtyLink":"Cardiology","SHSubSpecialtyLink":"Echocardiography","SHSpecialtyLinkDisplayOrder":1,"SHDoctorSpecPageItemId":"1160","SHDoctorSpecialityFURL":"see-chai-keat"}],"ListDoctorInstitution":[{"SHDepartmentLink":"#Department of Cardiology#","SHDepartmentLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHDepartmentUrlLink":{"Url":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiology/Pages/Home.aspx","Description":"https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patientcare/clinicalspecialtiesservices/cardiology/Pages/Home.aspx"},"SHInstitutionLink":"#National Heart Centre Singapore#","SHInstitutionLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/NHCS-logo.jpg"},"SHInstitutionUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg","Description":"http://www.nhcs.com.sg"},"SHInstLinkDisplayOrder":1,"SHDoctorInstPageItemId":"1160","SHDoctorInstitutionFURL":"see-chai-keat"},{"SHDepartmentLink":"#NHCS Cardiology @ SKH#","SHDepartmentLogoLink":null,"SHDepartmentUrlLink":null,"SHInstitutionLink":"#Sengkang General Hospital#","SHInstitutionLogoLink":{"Url":"http://authoring.sppub.healthgrp.com.sg/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SKH-logo.jpg","Description":"/_catalogs/masterpage/HealthXChange/images/logos/SKH-logo.jpg"},"SHInstitutionUrlLink":{"Url":"http://www.sengkanghealth.com.sg/","Description":"http://www.sengkanghealth.com.sg/"},"SHInstLinkDisplayOrder":2,"SHDoctorInstPageItemId":"1160","SHDoctorInstitutionFURL":"see-chai-keat"}],"DoctorProfileInstitutionString":null,"DoctorProfileDepartmentString":null,"DoctorProfileSpecialtyString":null,"DoctorProfileSubSpecialtyString":null,"ListDoctorResearchAppointment":[],"DoctorResearchAppointmentItem":null,"StartDate":"\/Date(-62135596800000)\/","Path":"/profile/see-chai-keat","LastUpdatedOn":"\/Date(1582012800000)\/","LastUpdatedOnString":"18 February 2020","SHDoctorAcademicProgLogo":null,"SHDoctorAcademicProgURL":null,"SHContentTagType":null,"SingHealthInstitution":"","SingHealthSpecialty":"","TypeOfContent":null,"DoctorFriendlyUrl":"see-chai-keat","DoctorSpecialtyFriendlyUrl":null,"SHDoctorResearchEmail":null}]
Related Conditions
Echocardiogram
Valvular Heart Disease
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
View more
Related Medicine
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
Understanding Chest Pain
Super Foods Good for Your Heart
Exercises for Cardiac Patients (Sitting)
Exercises for Cardiac Patients (Standing)
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services