Innovations in transesophageal echocardiographic imaging.
Over the last three decades, the continuing development of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has represented a major advance in our ability to visualize cardiovascular structures with ultrasound. TEE serves as a valuable complement to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) by allowing: images to be obtained with less attenuation from structures such as the lung, muscle, bone, and soft tissue; high resolution visualization of structures not well seen by TTE, such as left atrial appendage, descending thoracic aorta, and prosthetic heart valves; and assessment of hemodynamics and flow disorders in greater detail. This article provides a brief overview of current as well as emerging clinical applications of transesophageal echocardiography.
Ward
R Parker
RP
Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratories, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. pward@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Lang
Roberto M
RM
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media