Transesophageal echocardiography is a valuable diagnostic and monitoring tool for assessing cardiac anatomy, function, and various pathologies including masses, dissection, and endocarditis.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports TEE consideration in select cardiac assessments; leaves open need for prospective outcome trials.
Transesophageal echocardiography has provided a new acoustic window to the heart, the great vessels, and the mediastinum. It provides anatomical, functional hemodynamic, and blood flow information. High-quality visualization of left atrial appendage, thoracic aorta, atrial septum, and mitral valvular apparatus can be obtained readily. We discuss historical and technical aspects of transesophageal echocardiography, anatomical views, and major clinical indications for this procedure. These indications include intracardiac masses, thoracic aortic dissection, endocarditis, prosthetic and native cardiac valve function assessment, as well as its value in the detection of intracardiac source of systemic emboli. Furthermore, the role of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of coronary artery and congenital heart disease and as an intraoperative diagnostic and monitoring technique is discussed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tee et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: