Đánh giá đau họng, khó chịu và tác động kinh tế của siêu âm tim qua ngã thực quản ở bệnh nhân rung nhĩ

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an indispensable diagnostic tool for detecting left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), which is crucial for guiding therapeutic interventions. Despite its proven efficacy and safety in identifying potential sources of emboli, TEE can induce patient anxiety, discomfort, and oropharyngeal pain. This study addresses a critical gap in current knowledge within Vietnam by evaluating the patient experience and the economic implications associated with TEE performance in AF management, aiming to optimize patient care and improve healthcare resource utilization.

Cardiologists, internists, cardiac sonographers, medical researchers focusing on cardiovascular diseases and medical imaging, and healthcare administrators or policymakers.

This cross-sectional study investigated patient experiences and economic impacts of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 108 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at Thong Nhat Hospital. The research aimed to assess the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus, identify associated discomforts, and evaluate economic implications. Findings revealed a 13.8% prevalence of LAA thrombus, with affected patients exhibiting higher BMI and lower LAA emptying velocity. A significant proportion of patients reported moderate-to-severe anxiety (38.9%) and sore throat (41.6%), while 76.9% experienced general oropharyngeal discomfort. Factors linked to anxiety included current employment status, hemodynamic control, and coexisting cardiovascular diseases. Higher educational levels and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with less severe sore throat. Notably, utilizing outpatient TEE significantly reduced hospital stay by an average of 2.8 days, highlighting its economic benefit. While TEE remains a vital diagnostic tool for AF management, particularly for detecting LAA thrombus, the study underscores the importance of managing patient discomfort. The findings suggest that adequate hemodynamic control, comprehensive patient counseling, and the wider implementation of outpatient TEE strategies can substantially enhance patient experience and overall healthcare efficiency. The study acknowledges limitations, including its single-center, small sample size, and observational design, indicating a need for larger, randomized controlled trials to establish causality and generalize findings.