Transoesophageal echocardiographic monitoring during paediatric cardiac surgery: obtainable information and feasibility in 532 children.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesized that transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) performed by the anaesthesiologists would be beneficial for monitoring purposes during paediatric cardiac surgery. We present the results for the first 5 years in 532 consecutive children.


METHODS
The probe was successfully inserted in 99% of cases and remained in the oesophagus for 211 min on average (range 10-555 min).


RESULTS
Insignificant valve leak, single- or biventricular failure and volume depletion were the most common new findings due to TOE. Changes in inotropic strategy and volume replacement were the most frequent interventions. In 45% of the cases, new information was disclosed and, in a total of 8% of cases, decisive information was provided. Except for tracheal extubation in one child who was uneventfully reintubated, no severe complications were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
These data stress the safety and ease of performing TOE in children undergoing cardiac surgery. There is evidence for benefit from TOE findings to potentially enhance the therapeutic basis.
Sloth
E
E
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. skejes@aau.dk
Pedersen
J
J
Olsen
K H
KH
Wanscher
M
M
Hansen
O K
OK
Sørensen
K E
KE
D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods