Atrial Fibrillation

[190802]

I am a 78 year old female and I have had Barretts Oesophagus since 1996.  Consequently, I have to have regular endoscopies to check on the Barretts.  Since August 2012 I have suffered severe breathing/lung problems (oxygen transfer problem , plus mild grade 1 emphysema.   In December 2012, I was diagnosed with AF.  Subsequent tests have also shown that I have three valves (aorta, mitral & tricuspid) which are regurgitating, both atria and the right ventricle are dilated.  I also have a sclerotic aortic valve, mild pulmonary hypertension and generalised coronary artery atheroma, but no high grade luminal narrowing was detected.  Cardiologist now wants me to have a Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE) & Cardioversion.  The doctor did not explain anything about the procedure except to say it was an "electric shock" like you see on T.V.   Until I read the paperwork much later, I had no idea that the TOE part of the procedure involved the insertion of an ultrasound probe into my oesophagus, and I am extremely concerned about the possible detrimental effect this may have on my already ailing oesophagus which has an extensive and long segment of Barrett's disease(C7 M8).  Unfortunately, my Gastroenterologist is away overseas at present so I cannot get his advice.  The Cardiologist is at a large metropolitan public hospital and it is impossible to contact him by phone directly,.

[helyanna]

If you are not planned to have electric cardioversion, then echorardiogram can be made through the chest wall.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have "had" both.  

The electrocardioversion (more than once) a "piece of cake" only side effect for me was slight burns on my chest and back (don't remember for sure about he back the last one was in 2008).  The echo down the throat didn't give me as much as a sore throat, but I didn't/don't currently have any throat problems - that I know of .  

Electrocardioversions in my experience are temporary, I have never gotten more than about 18 months of normal AFib-free time out them, and I always took drugs/medications to help hold me in that state.

My experience is those two procedures are same day (out patient) procedures and I had no recovery problems, back 100% the next day.