title: Transesophageal echocardiography and adult cardiac operations.
abstract: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) now is used widely as a monitoring technique during and after cardiac operations. Widespread adoption of the technique has provided a wealth of new information. This review analyzes the influence of TEE on the routine conduct of cardiac operations and on surgical decision making in specific areas. Its use in routine hemodynamic monitoring and problem solving, both intraoperatively and postoperatively, is discussed. Transesophageal echocardiography has a particular role in valve operations, in guiding and assessing the immediate results of mitral valve repair. It also has found application in the grading and operative management of the severely atheromatous aorta, the diagnosis and management of aortic dissection, and other aspects of surgery of the thoracic aorta. In addition, management in specialized areas, such as cardiopulmonary transplantation and the insertion and monitoring of ventricular assist devices, have also been helped by the information provided by TEE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barzilai
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Kouchoukos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016041:Heart-Lung Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D011182:Postoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results