[Usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography during myocardial revascularization surgery without extracorporeal circulation].
OBJECTIVE
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography can be a highly useful monitoring technique during myocardial revascularization surgery when extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is not being used. Transesophageal echocardiography provides real-time images on both volume status and segmental myocardial contractility without interfering with the surgical field.


METHODS
A total of 25 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization by sternotomy without ECC were monitored by transesophageal echocardiography during surgery.


RESULTS
The 18 men and 7 women studied had a mean (SD) age of 71.3 (8) years. A third of them had hypertension and diabetes, 3 had suffered a cerebrovascular accident, and 2 had renal failure. Nine patients had a history of acute myocardial infarction and 3 had undergone angioplasty. Baseline echocardiograms on all patients established that 6 had a low ejection fraction (<30%). Twelve had altered segmental contractility, which was transient in 11 cases. Six patients had improved ejection fraction at the final assessment. Transesophageal electrocardiography also monitored volume status and the effects of inotropic drugs and beta-blockers in 83% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Transesophageal electrocardiography is a minimally invasive, safe, and precise way to directly monitor the beating heart in real time during myocardial revascularization without ECC. Image quality is good.
Cabrera Schulmeyer
M C
MC
Departamento de Anestesiología, Hospital Clinico Fuerza Aérea de Chile, Santiago, Chile. carol218@vtr.net
Delgado Saavedra
P
P
de la Maza Calvert
J C
JC
Vega Sepúlveda
R
R
Santelices Cuevas
E
E
Allamand
F
F
Hernández Viehmeister
R
R
de la Fuente
E U L
EU
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001810:Blood Volume; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003199:Computer Systems; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump; D003971:Diastole; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013318:Stroke Volume
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents