TEE Test Tomorrow or not????

Posted by Gina on June 29, 1999 at 10:31:25
I have a TEE scheduled for tommorow. I have a prostetic mitral valve and take coumadin daily. Called my hemotoligist about the amoxcillin that I will be taking before the proceedure and his nurse stated I may have to reschedule my test that the Dr. may want my off the Coumadin or the test. Is this a common practice? What are the risks during and after this test?  Bleeding,infection, etc. Thank you. Gina

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on June 29, 1999 at 17:11:31
Dear Gina,
It is common to take antibiotics and to monitor your INR prior to a TEE particularly if you are undergoing a cardioversion for Atrial fibrillation.  In general, the risks of the procedure are low, bleeding is minimal and typically form the lining of the stomach ( if this occurs at all).  Antibiotics are used in all patients with valves since this is instrumenting through the mouth and causes a small amount of bacteria in the blood stream.
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