Transesophageal echocardiography experience in thepediatric age group in a tertiary cardiac center*

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) findings of pediatric patients in a tertiary center where complex congenital heart surgery and interventional procedures have been performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All TEE studies performed between December 2009 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups: perioperative, during interventional procedures, and due to other reasons. Demographic features, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) reports, TEE reports, change in decision after TEE evaluation, and related complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 703 patients who had TEE evaluation were included in the study; 51% were female and 49% were male. The median age was 90 months (2 months to 18 years). TEE was performed perioperatively in 430 patients (61%), during cardiac catheterization-angiography and electrophysiology studies in 181 patients (26%), and due to other reasons in 92 patients (13%). Mismatches between TTE and TEE or changes in decision after TEE evaluation were present in 45 patients (10.4%) who had perioperative TEE, in 10 patients (5.5%) who had TEE during interventional procedures, and 22 patients (24%) who had TEE evaluation due to other reasons. No major complications were detected. CONCLUSION: Information acquired by TEE increases the clarity of future plans for the patient and helps to decrease the mortality and morbidity caused by unnecessary procedures.