title: Value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.
abstract: The role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has increased tremendously since its first use in 1979. Today intraoperative TEE is a class I indication for surgical mitral valve reconstruction for evaluation of mitral valve pathology, graduation of mitral regurgitation and detection of potential risk factors as well as post-repair assessment. Real-time three-dimensional TEE offers anatomical visualization of the mitral valve apparatus, fundamental for virtual surgical planning of proper annuloplasty ring size. As minimally invasive and even off-pump techniques for mitral valve repair become more popular, image guidance by intraoperative TEE will play an essential role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Heartcenter Leipzig, University Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ender
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Heartcenter Leipzig, University Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sgouropoulou
keywords: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE); image guidance; minimally invasive; mitral valve repair; real time three dimensional TEE (RT 3D TEE)