Transesophageal echocardiography in the postoperative child with an open sternum.
We report the use of transesophageal echocardiography in 3 children whose sternums remained open for several days postoperatively. In these patients transesophageal echocardiography provided critical information when transthoracic echocardiography was ineffective due to limited acoustic windows. This report points out the application of transesophageal echocardiography in children with chest wall distortion.
Marcus
B
B
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California School of Medicine 90027.
Wong
P C
PC
Wells
W J
WJ
Lindesmith
G G
GG
Starnes
V A
VA
D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*