Are You Awake During a Tee

Once the test is ready to begin, you will be given a sedative to help you relax, and a numbing medication will be sprayed down your throat. This will make the passage of the transesophageal ultrasound probe more comfortable. You will be awake enough to swallow if necessary.

Is a TEE test painful?

Many people find TEE to be uncomfortable, but not actually painful. The staff at the echocardiography lab will take several steps to make you as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Your throat will be numbed with an anesthetic spray, gel,or gargling solution.

What will a TEE test show?

The test can show the heart’s structure and function and help guide the surgery. TEE also helps doctors assess a patient’s status during surgery. For example, TEE can help check for blood flow and blood pressure problems. At the end of surgery, TEE might be used again to check how well the surgery worked.