Epicardial echocardiography: diagnostic utility for evaluating aortic valve disease during coronary surgery.
Intraoperative epicardial echocardiography is commonly used to evaluate the ascending aorta for atheromatous disease before cannulation and cross clamping. In addition, it may serve as a cardiac imaging technique in patients where placement of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe is contraindicated, probe advancement is difficult, or a TEE probe is not available. We report a patient who was taken to the OR for coronary artery bypass grafting. Intraoperative TEE was planned to evaluate aortic valve function. However, attempts to place a TEE probe were abandoned due to high resistance on probe insertion. Epicardial echocardiography revealed previously undiagnosed aortic valve disease resulting in replacement of this valve.
Frenk
Vlad E
VE
Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Shernan
Stanton K
SK
Eltzschig
Holger K
HK
D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests