title: Critical appraisal of transesophageal echocardiography: limitations, pitfalls, and complications.
abstract: Because transesophageal echocardiography is invasive, it has the potential for serious complications. Limitations occur because of the restricted transducer mobility within transducers for special situations. Pitfalls (potential erroneous diagnoses resulting from misinterpretation of normal and abnormal anatomy) are prevalent with this new technology. This report critically reviews transesophageal echocardiography and discusses and illustrates commonly encountered limitations, pitfalls, and complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seward
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Khandheria
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tajik
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans