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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffNo special preparations are necessary for a standard transthoracic echocardiogram. Your doctor will ask you not to eat for a few hours beforehand if you're having a transesophageal or stress echocardiogram. If you'll be walking on a treadmill during a stress echocardiogram, wear comfortable shoes. If you're having a transesophageal echocardiogram, you won't be able to drive afterward because of the sedating medication you'll likely receive. Before your have your transesophageal echocardiogram, be sure to make arrangements to get home.
References
- Echocardiography. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/. Accessed Aug. 20, 2012.
- Douglas PS, et al. ACCF/ASE/ACEP/ASNC/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR 2011 appropriateness use criteria for echocardiography. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2011;24:229.
- Pellikka PA, et al. American Society of Echocardiography recommendations for performance, interpretation, and application of stress echocardiography. Journal of American Society of Echocardiography. 2007;20:1021.
- Manning WJ. Principles of Doppler echocardiography. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 20, 2012.
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