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This test measures how the esophagus works. It also tests the valve muscle between the esophagus and stomach. This test is done when people have swallowing problems and before and after treatments to the esophagus.
Getting Ready
Do not stop taking blood thinners without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how to safely stop the blood thinners. Contact us if you have any questions.
One Week before Your Procedure
Blood thinning medicine should be stopped as follows:
No prasugrel (Effient®) for 7 days
No warfarin (Coumadin®) for 5 days
No clopidogrel (Plavix®) for 5 days
No rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) for 2 days
No apixalban (Eliquis®) for 2 days
No dabigatran (Pradaxa®) for 2 days
No enoxaparin (Lovenox®) for 12 hours
Diabetes medicines (pills and insulin) may need to be adjusted for the time when you can’t eat. Before starting or stopping any medicine, please talk with your doctor who prescribes your medicine.
Day of Test
Do not eat any solid food after midnight the day of the test. You may have clear liquids until 4 hours before you arrive. Stop drinking liquids 4 hours before you arrive. You may take medicines with sips of water up until 2 hours before your visit.
Do not take these medicines the day of the test:
Nifedipine (Procardia®)
Diltiazem (Cardizem®)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Verapamil (Calan®)
Nitrate medicine (nitroglycerin, isosorbide, Isordil®)
Tegaserod maleate (Zelnorm®)
Erythromycin
Metoclopramide hydrochloride (Reglan®)
The Test
We will numb your nose and insert a small tube through your nose and into your esophagus.
When the tube is in place, we will ask you to swallow. We will record the swallowing wave.
We remove the tube when the test is done.
After the Test
You may resume your normal routine, diet and medicines. Please allow 1-2 weeks for final reports to be ready for the doctor to review.
Who to Call
If you have any questions, please contact your doctor or call the numbers listed below.
UW Health Digestive Health Center
750 University Row
Madison, WI
(608) 890-5000
(855) 342-9900
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
GI Procedure Clinic
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
(608)263-8097
(800)323-8942
UW Health East Madison Hospital
4602 East Park Blvd
Madison, WI
(608) 440-6300
(608) 607-4800