Transesophageal Echocardiography: A New Window to the Heart

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Echocardiography has been one of the most significant advances in cardiology in the past two decades. It can provide anatomic, functional hemodynamic, and blood flow information. Conventional transtho- racic echocardiography has limitations, particularly in certain patients such as those with obesity, chronic lung disease, or chest wall defor- mity, or in those where a transthoracic approach is difficult for reasons including trauma, life support apparat uses, and surgical dressings. There are also certain disease states or conditions in which transtho- racic echocardiography expectedly gives incomplete or inadequate in- formation. Transesophageal echo cardiography has opened a unique new window to the heart. The immediate proximity of the esophagus and the posterior heart permits exceptionally high resolution images, par- ticularly of the left atrium, mitral valve, and intraatrial septum. Addi- tionally, from the stomach (trans gastric views), the ventricles can be dependably imaged. Transesophageal echo cardiography presently is utilized in two environments: intraoperatively and for outpatient examinations. Intraoperatively, TEE is utilized to monitor cardiac function and de- tect intracardiac air or debris, to diagnose or quantitate cardiac path- ology, and to access operative results.